Bar Exams: MURIC Demands Suspension of Nigerian Law School Examinations, Probe into Hijab Restrictions
The Islamic rights group alleges Muslim female candidates faced harassment at examination centres and warns of peaceful protests across Law School campuses if its demands are not met.
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the suspension of ongoing Nigerian Law School examinations and an investigation into reported harassment of Muslim female candidates wearing hijab, warning that it may organise peaceful protests at campuses nationwide if its demands are not met.
MURIC alleged that Muslim female candidates faced intimidation and restrictions at some examination centres during the Bar Final Examinations on Saturday, 31 October, with some reportedly prevented from entering examination halls until they removed their hijabs.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, 1 November, the organisation’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said MURIC had received calls and messages from distressed candidates, parents and concerned Muslims following the reported incidents.
The organisation condemned what it described as the disruption of candidates’ examinations, arguing that the restrictions violated constitutional protections for freedom of religion, freedom from discrimination and the dignity of the human person.
MURIC cited Sections 38, 42 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution, which respectively address freedom of religion, protection against discrimination and the dignity of the human person. It also invoked the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Lagos State Government & Ors v. Asiyat AbdulKareem, a case concerning Muslim female students’ right to wear hijab in Lagos public schools.
The organisation demanded that all Law School examinations be suspended pending an investigation into what it described as harassment, profiling and stigmatisation of female Muslim candidates.
It also called for candidates who were harassed or delayed from entering examination halls to be allowed to retake their examinations if they requested to do so, particularly those it said had been kept outside for up to an hour.
MURIC further announced that it would give notice of peaceful protests at Law School campuses across the country if its demands were not met. It said the proposed demonstrations would involve parents of affected candidates, Muslim youths and other stakeholders.
The organisation urged Muslim parents and community leaders to take an active role in defending the rights of female candidates, while calling on young Muslims to participate in what it described as a peaceful campaign for civil liberties.
Reaffirming its motto, “Dialogue, Not Violence,” MURIC said any protest organised under its platform would adhere to peaceful methods.
The Nigerian Law School had yet to publicly respond to MURIC’s demands at the time of publication.
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