On Thursday, a lawyer at Nigeria’s top court attracted attention by dressing according to his traditional religion.
It was unusual for Malcolm Omoirhobo to appear in court with a wig, robe, white patch under his right eye, a gourd around his neck, a feather, and a crimson fabric around his waist.
He said, with a tinge of irony, that he donned the clothing to express “thanks” to the Supreme Court, which on Friday ruled in favor of Muslim female students wearing the hijab in government-run schools in Lagos.
BREAKING: Drama at Supreme Court Abuja as lawyer attends proceedings in traditional worshipper’s regalia following judgement of the Supreme Court that allows all Nigerians to express their way of worship and use of hijab in schools and public places delivered on the 17/6/2022. pic.twitter.com/efW6Pr6YqD
— Florence Awazi Ebuga, Esq (@Florence_Esq) June 23, 2022
The state’s ban on hijabs in public schools was found by the court to be biased against Muslim students.
The Supreme Court’s decision, according to Mr. Omoirhobo, reaffirmed the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
“I am a traditionalist and this is the way I worship. Based on the decision of the Supreme Court, this is how I will be dressing henceforth in court because I am a strong adherent to ‘Olokun’, the god of rivers,” he said.
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This is serious ooo Chaley. Anyway tradition supersedes all other religions