The last has not been heard on the legal imbroglio between the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, and the Lagos State Government over the ban on the use of hijab (Muslim veil) in public schools in the State.
At the resumed hearing on the case, Wednesday, counsel to the state government, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN) who is the Solicitor-General of the state informed the Lagos High Court that they have filed a counter affidavit against the application of the applicants on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 stating that the State government is against the application of the MSSN and will not negotiate with their counsel outside court.
It will be recalled that the Lagos State Government had initially sought for an out of court settlement when the case opened on May 27, 2013 before the former judge handling the case; Justice Oyewole offered to give them time to negotiate. A situation the MSSN called ‘unnecessary delay tactics’.
The State Counsel, Barrister Pedro told the court that the ‘out of court negotiation’ had broken down and prayed for an extension of time in order to file a counter affidavit to the application of the MSSN.
Counsel to the MSSN, Barrister Hassan Fajimite, told journalists that the State government wasn’t really interested in the ‘out of court settlement.
“For over a year that the government applied before Justice Oyewole that they wanted to settle out of court, they never met us as lawyers representing the applicants and when they eventually met with us recently, on the letter they wrote through their Attorney-General, we realized they weren’t ready to concede to us our rights”.
Fajimite however asked for a new date for the commencement of proper hearing of the case which he believe should be fully taken.
Justice Onyeabo adjourned the case to Tuesday July 1, 2014.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the case was adjourned, the Amir (President) of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit, Engineer Kaamil Kalejaiye said they won’t rest until justice and their fundamental human rights has been restored no matter how long it takes.
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