Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on Nigeria’s Council of Legal Education to establish a probe panel “without delay” to examine allegations that the Director General of the Nigerian Law School issued a verbal directive banning female Muslim students from wearing hijab during examinations. The demand was made in a statement signed by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Isiaq Akintola, on Thursday.
The controversy emerged a few days earlier when reports surfaced that the Director General had instructed law school campuses across the country to prohibit hijab in exam settings. MURIC says the alleged ban threatens “healthy interaction and freedom of religion” for students, particularly during the critical call‑to‑bar final examinations.
In the statement, Professor Akintola urged the Council of Legal Education to set up an independent panel and asked that the Director General recuse herself to ensure a “free, fair and transparent investigation.” He added that the current Director General “poses a threat to healthy interaction and freedom of religion” and cannot provide a balanced environment for Muslim and Christian students.
Akintola further warned that the Director General should be removed from office if she does not resign, accusing her of “dragging the good name of the Law School into this matter” and of holding an “anti‑Muslim mindset.” The statement did not provide details of any formal complaint or evidence beyond the alleged verbal directive.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, operates its legal education through the Council of Legal Education, which oversees the Nigerian Law School and its examinations. The council has not yet responded publicly to MURIC’s request for an investigation.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
