By Williams Anuku There was mild drama at the Supreme Court, Abuja, on Thursday as a Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Malcom Omoirhobo c...
By Williams Anuku
There was mild drama at the Supreme Court, Abuja, on
Thursday as a Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Malcom Omoirhobo caused a stir
in the courtroom when he appeared in the full traditional attire of an “Olokun
priest” to attend court proceedings.
The lawyer said he dressed to court in that manner to
exercise his fundamental human rights following the judgment of the Supreme
Court that allowed all Nigerians to express their way of worship and the use of
hijab in schools and public places.
It would be recalled that the Supreme Court had on Friday
given approval to female Muslim students to wear hijab to school in Lagos
State.
Five out of the seven members of the court’s panel which sat
on the case ruled in favour of hijab while the two remaining members dissented.
The lawyer, who arrived at the court at about 9:05 am,
created a scene in the courtroom when other lawyers who had been seated were
taken by surprise to see him robed in traditional attire to look like an
herbalist.
The lawyer who gained entry into the court was barefooted
with feathers attached to his wig.
He was also wearing a gourd on his necklace with cowries and
a red wrapper tied around his waist.
He dared the police officers and security guards who
approached him to go out saying that he has the right to come to the court in
his traditional regalia without any harassment in line with the judgment.
The court proceedings were abruptly stopped when the
presiding justice suddenly announced that they would be going for a short
break.
Though it could not be immediately ascertained what was
responsible for the short break.
The situation attracted a large crowd who thronged the
courtroom to catch a glimpse as people were seen using their mobile phones to
take his pictures.
Malcom who addressed journalists said, “I am very grateful
to the Supreme Court just last week Friday they made a very resounding decision
that promotes Section 38 of the constitution. That is our right to freedom of
thought, conscience, and religion. That we are free to express our way of
worship in our schools and in our courts. That decision was reached on Friday
and that has encouraged me.
“Because I am a traditionalist and this is the way I
worship. Based on the decision of the Supreme Court this is how I will be
dressing henceforth in court because I am a strong adherent to “Olokun” the god
of rivers.”
Malcom said the implication of the judgement was that every
Nigerian, including doctors, police, military students, and journalists, can
now wear their mode of worship in public places.
He added that he was not against the judgement rather he was
happy with the decision because it strengthened and enriched the rights of all
Nigerians as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
as amended.
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