The House of Representatives joint committee on Justice and Judiciary has adjourned its public hearing on the hijab controversy between the Nigerian Law School and a law school graduate, Miss. Firdaus Amasa, due to a court injunction.
This decision by the lawmaker according to witnesses outraged the Muslim faithful at the hearing as a protest broke out; spearheaded by the president of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Ishaq Akintola.Akintola said his organization will resist any attempt to stop hijabs in Law School as an injury to one of them is an injury to all Muslims in the country.
It was learnt that hundreds of Muslims who stormed the green chamber on Wednesday, were again disappointed that the public hearing scheduled to hold has been postponed indefinitely.
Among others who joined the protest is the President Muslim Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MMPAN) Alhaji Abdulrahman Balogun.
One of the anxious members of one of the groups that went from Lagos for the hearing said many were surprised that they had travelled long distance to attend the postponed hearing.
He said, “As at 10.30am, the public hearing did not commence as participants were only seated inside room 236, New Wing, Federal House of Representatives, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.
“The cancellation announcement was made few minutes past 11 o’clock.”
He said that the postponement may be as a result of a ruling of Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, 28th February.
He said, “The Justice had ordered that the public hearing be suspended pending the determination of the substantive suit.”
The source hinted that the two clerks of the public hearing joint committee, Mr. Idris Mora and Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana confirmed the postponement.
He quoted Mora as follows, “There is a court order served on the National Assembly restraining us. Nevertheless, those who are already around will be informed.
He added that Ogunlana said, “Yes, court order.”
