Goshen said the court needs to answer what its position would be if it were a female Muslim lawyer who entered the court in her hijab.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
After the Supreme Court of Nigeria gave female muslim students the go ahead to exercise their right to religion by adorning hijab on their school uniforms, all hell appears to break loose.
First was a human rights lawyer, Malcolm Omirhobo, appearing at the Supreme Court in the regalia of an Olokun worshipper. The jurists hurriedly round up proceeding on sighting the strange outfit in the citadel of justice.
Omirhobo, the following week, appeared before a judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos in the same attire. This time, other lawyers protested against Omirhobo’s outfit, insisting that the dressing was against the rule of professional dressing for lawyers. Omithobo countered, saying the constitution trumps other laws. The judge adjourned hearing till October for Omirhobo to address the court.
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Yesterday, another lawyer, Ogbachalu Goshen, appeared at the Okpoko Magistrate Court in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, dressed in the garb of a Christian clergy.
The magistrate, CB Mbaegbu, objected to his dressing, adding that he could not appear in such regalia as a defence counsel, according to reporting by Punch Newspaper.
Goshen, in return, disagreed with the magistrate, citing the recent Supreme Court judgement that gave female students the backing to wear hijab in public schools as a precedent.
He also insisted that it was his right, adding that the objection by the Magistrate was an infringement on his fundamental rights as enshrined in Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, as both parties refused to shift ground, the Magistrate rose, thereby forcing the court to dismiss immediately.
Speaking to journalists, Goshen stood his ground noting that the incident had already become a constitutional matter since the Supreme Court’s ruling that allows the use of hijab in public schools and facilities.
Goshen said the court needs to answer what its position would be if it were a female Muslim lawyer who entered the court in her hijab.
He further noted that he is an ordained pastor and should also be allowed to appear that way in court since the Supreme Court’s decision on the hijab matter is that it is allowed.
When asked if the Supreme Court ruling is in the best interest of the judiciary, he said that for now remains a precedent that must be obeyed unless there is a judicial review.
