Sultan of Sokoto bashes Law School's decision to deny student call-to-bar

The Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has now condemned the Nigerian Law School’s decision of denying Ms Amasa from being called to bar, Daily Trust reports.

Speaking under the theme, "Public Trust and Accountability,” at the 5th National Convention of Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), the Sultan said that the hijab simply means decent dressing.

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The Sultan who is also the president of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), was represented by one of its members, the Wazirin of Katsina, Sanni Abubakar Lugga.

He added that the constitution is clear and that no Nigerian can be discriminated against and denied their right.

He said: "His eminence wonders while Hijab has now become a controversial issue. Hijab simply means decent dressing, decent dressing by the females. So why should decent dressing be a problem? The Hijab is just an Arabic word. In English, it means decent dressing.

"His Eminence has asked Nigerians to reflect and see that this is not only an Islamic mode of dressing but a Christian mode of dressing. It is also a Judaism mode of dressing and it is a dressing for every decent woman. It is a dressing for any woman who wants to preserve her chastity in public.

"Secondly, in Nigerian constitution, it is absolutely clear. Why should Nigerian Muslims be molested and even denied their own right? The Appeal Court ruling in Ilorin is there, the Appeal Court in Lagos and also the High Court all delivered judgement in favour of Hijab.

"Justice Alooma, the former CJN, Justice Bukalchuwa and other Senior Justices in Nigeria wear their Hijab and then the wig on top of it. The Nigeria Judicial Council (NJC), the Highest body in the judiciary has not said, ‘no, they should stop’ which means the Nigerian constitution allows the Hijab, the Nigerian Courts through these three judgements have allowed the Hijab and the NJC through these senior judges have allowed the Hijab.

"Why will a legal school refuse our sister’s induction into the judiciary simply because she is wearing Hijab? Is the law school saying they are above the NJC, they are above the Nigerian constitution, they are above these three senior courts?"

As you well know by now, Ms Amasa was denied entry into the venue of her call-to-bar because she was wearing her wig over her hijab being that she is Muslim.

She revealed during an interview with Premium Times that she remains resolute in her convictions to set a standard for Hijab-wearing Muslims during the ceremony.

“My major concern is the approval of Hijab so that every person coming behind me will be able to use it for the call to bar (ceremony),” she said.

Ms Amasa explained that she wanted to change the narrative by giving her Muslim sisters the right to express their constitutional rights as enshrined in the constitution, when asked the reason behind her conviction.

“I knew that was what was going to happen,” she said of the consequences of her decision.

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She, however, said she remained determined to speak for the recognition of rights of female Muslim law graduates.

She further explained that the Law School is yet to act on the case, but added that the support from the Muslim community has been impressive.