MURIC demands suspension of Law School exams, probe into alleged hijab harassment
By KEMI KASUMU
According to the organisation, several female Muslim candidates who arrived at examination centres on Saturday, October 31, to sit for their final examinations ahead of the Call to Bar were prevented from entering examination halls because they wore hijab.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the suspension of examinations at Nigerian Law School campuses nationwide and an investigation into alleged harassment and intimidation of female Muslim students wearing hijab during their final examinations.
The Islamic human rights organisation also threatened peaceful protests across all Law School campuses if its demands are not met.
MURIC’s position was contained in a press release issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026, by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
According to the organisation, several female Muslim candidates who arrived at examination centres on Saturday, October 31, to sit for their final examinations ahead of the Call to Bar were prevented from entering examination halls because they wore hijab.
Akintola claimed that some of the candidates were made to stand outside examination halls for about one hour before removing their hijabs to gain entry and commence their examinations.
He said the organisation received numerous telephone calls, text messages and online complaints from affected candidates, distressed parents and concerned Muslims across the country.
“MURIC strongly condemns the wanton disruption of the lawful educational pursuit of innocent Muslim ladies. It is crude, irrational and sadistic,” he said.
Expressing concern that the alleged incidents occurred within an institution responsible for legal education and professional excellence, Akintola questioned the Law School’s understanding of constitutional provisions and judicial pronouncements protecting religious freedom.
He cited Sections 38(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which guarantee freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to manifest and practise one’s religion.
The MURIC director also referred to the Supreme Court judgment in Lagos State Government & Ors v. Asiyat Abdulkareem (2022), which affirmed the right of Muslim female students to wear hijab in public schools.
He further argued that the alleged treatment of the candidates violated Section 42 of the Constitution, which prohibits discrimination, as well as Section 34(a), which protects the dignity of the human person and prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.
” The forceful undressing of our daughters at Law School examination centres in Nigeria is an open contravention of Section 34(a),” he stated.
Consequently, MURIC demanded the suspension of all Law School examinations pending an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged harassment, profiling, stigmatisation and forced removal of hijabs.
The organisation also demanded that candidates who experienced harassment and requested another opportunity to sit for their examinations should be allowed to rewrite them.
It specifically called for consideration for candidates allegedly delayed outside examination halls for up to 15 minutes, noting that some reportedly spent as long as one hour before complying with directives to remove their hijabs.
Beyond the demands for investigation and examination rescheduling, MURIC announced plans for peaceful protests at Law School campuses nationwide should the authorities fail to address its concerns.
According to Akintola, the proposed demonstrations would involve parents of affected candidates, Muslim youths and other Muslim stakeholders.
Citing Section 35 of the Constitution, he maintained that citizens have the right to peaceful protest and urged Muslims to organise themselves to demand the protection of their civil liberties.
The organisation also criticised what it described as the silence of Muslim elders and parents over alleged violations of their children’s rights.
“MURIC denounces the docility of Muslim elders and parents. This is a failure of parenthood. In loco parentis, we are not only expected to send our children and wards to school but to also monitor and protect them,” Akintola said.
He urged parents of the affected female students to identify with the organisation’s peaceful campaign, stressing that they had a responsibility to defend their daughters against discrimination.
The MURIC director also called on Muslim youths to take a leading role in what he described as the struggle for the protection of religious freedom and civil liberties in Nigeria.
He, however, emphasised that any action taken under the campaign must remain peaceful and consistent with the organisation’s motto, “Dialogue, Not Violence.”
“Our hope is in the Muslim youths. Muslim youths must play the role of game changers. The silence and inaction of the elders led to intimidation and coercion being experienced by Muslims in a country where they form the majority,” he said.
He added that MURIC would remain committed to peaceful engagement while demanding equal rights and justice for Nigerian Muslims.
The organisation reiterated that religious freedom, dignity and equal treatment under the law must be respected by all institutions, including those responsible for training future legal practitioners.
