Members 9f the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria(MSSN) ,Federal Polytechnic,Ado-Ekiti chapter has protested the ban on the use of niqob ( purdah) by the muslim female students by the management.
The MSS ,in a petition by its counsel, Tajudeen Olutope Ahmed, Esq.
Principal Partner at REX ADVOCATES (Barristers, Advocates & Notaries) described the management’s action as not only embarrasing but , unconstitutional and a violent violation of the fundamental rights of the niqob wearing members of the group .
It reads “Our client informed us that you visited the Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti mosque sometimes ago during which you informed the congregation thereat, inter alia, that the use of niqob ( purdah) by the female members of our client at the Polytechnic will no longer be tolerated.
Our client briefed us further that you ascribed your reasons to jejune basis such as:
(i) that the students’ handbook states that the use of niqob (purdah) is not allowed in the Polytechnic, and
(ii) that you received some security information regarding the likelihood of threat to the Polytechnic security architecture.
“Apart from the fact that the decision to ban use of niqob ( purdah) by the Polytechnic authority contradicts the Constitution of Nigeria and other extant laws and regulations, the decision is in flagrant violation of court’s verdict in Sister Khadijat Kubura Yusuf Vs. The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti & 2 ors ( Suit No: HAD/214m/2004).
“It is in view of the aforesaid that our services have been retained by our within named client to respectfully request you to rescind your purported decision to ban the use of niqob by the female members of our client at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti. While noting that the said decision to ban use of niqob (purdah) is patently illegal, wrong, unjust, unlawful and unconstitutional; we advice that it should be given immediate, unconditional and unequivocal vacation and termination.
It therefore warned that any attempt to prevent the niqob wearing members of our client from writing exams on Monday 15th April, 2024 will be fiercely resisted by the teeming members .
Copied in the petition were : the Minister of Education, The Ekiti State Police Commissioner and Director Department of State State Services(DSS) .
Also copied were the President – General, League of Imams and Alfas,
Southwest , Edo & Delta States and the President,
Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs,Ekiti State Chapter
Read full text below:
REX ADVOCATES
(Barristers, Advocates & Notaries)
Double Gate Villa, Iyana Emirinn, Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado – Ekiti.
Tell: 09030220527, 08034925415
Email: [email protected]
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13th April, 2024
The Rector,
Federal Polytechnic,
Ado – Ekiti.
Dear sir,
THE PURPORTED BAN OF NIQOB (PURDAH) AT FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, ADO EKITI IN FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NIGERIA: REQUEST FOR IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL VACATION OF THE BAN.
We are Solicitors to the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria ( MSSN) Ekiti Area Unit “Our Client” and we have her instructions to communicate you on the subject of this missive.
Our client is the umbrella body of Muslim students in Ekiti including the Muslim students of Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti where you administer as the Rector and administrative head.
Our client informed us that you visited the Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti mosque sometimes ago during which you informed the congregation thereat, inter alia, that the use of niqob ( purdah) by the female members of our client at the Polytechnic will no longer be tolerated.
Our client briefed us further that you ascribed your reasons to jejune basis such as:
(i) that the students’ handbook states that the use of niqob (purdah) is not allowed in the Polytechnic, and
(ii) that you received some security information regarding the likelihood of threat to the Polytechnic security architecture.
Our client was highly embarrassed and bewildered by the Polytechnic’s decision to ban the use of niqob especially when such decision is laced with illegality. As a matter of fact, the said decision is unconstitutional and a violent violation of the fundamental rights of the the niqob wearing members of our client.
Apart from the fact that the decision to ban use of niqob ( purdah) by the Polytechnic authority contradicts the Constitution of Nigeria and other extant laws and regulations, the decision is in flagrant violation of court’s verdict in Sister Khadijat Kubura Yusuf Vs. The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti & 2 ors ( Suit No: HAD/214m/2004).
It is in view of the aforesaid that our services have been retained by our within named client to respectfully request you to rescind your purported decision to ban the use of niqob by the female members of our client at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti. While noting that the said decision to ban use of niqob (purdah) is patently illegal, wrong, unjust, unlawful and unconstitutional; we advice that it should be given immediate, unconditional and unequivocal vacation and termination.
While noting that the purported students’ handbook that is being brandished by the Polytechnic has been declared illegal and void by the court of law in the above refered case, it should be noted that members of our client ( including the niqob wearing ones) have never been threats to security since the establishment of the Polytechnic. We therefore advice your good office to reinforce the security network of the Polytechnic through necessary synergy with law enforcement agents (if same is being threatened), rather than resorting to uncouth, uncivilized, illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional means such as ban on the use of niqob by Muslim female students.
Kindly note that our client will not stand akimbo and fold her hands while your institution is out to trample on the rights of her members. As such, our client will be ready to employ every available legal processes towards the restoration of the rights of her members at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti.
To be forwarned is to be forearmed!
Yours sincerely,
PP: REX ADVOCATES
E- signed
Tajudeen Olutope Ahmed, Esq.
Principal Partner.
cc:
(i) Hon. Minister of Education,
Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja.
(ii) The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti Police Command, Ado Ekiti.
(iii) The Director,
Department of State Security Services,
Ekiti State Command,
Ado – Ekiti
(iv) The President – General, League of Imams and Alfas,
Southwest , Edo & Delta States.
(v) The President,
Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs,
Ekiti State Chapter
Dear sirs,
Above for your information and necessary intervention. The decision of the Polytechnic authority is not only rash, illegal and unconstitutional, it is targeted at undermining the inviolable tenet of Islam.
Kindly note that the plan of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti to prevent the niqob wearing members of our client from writing exams on Monday 15th April, 2024 will be fiercely resisted by the teeming members of our client.
Thank you, sirs, as you call the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti authority to order.
Yours sincerely,
PP: REX ADVOCATES
E- signed
Tajudeen Olutope Ahmed, Esq.
Principal Partner.