Lawyer: Why I Dressed in My Religious Attire to Supreme Court
Alex Enumah in Abuja
Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Mr. Malcom Omirhobo, was the cynosure of all eyes, when he decked himself in the full traditional attire of an “Olokun priest” to attend yesterday’s proceedings at the Supreme Court.
His appearance, which was not only dramatic, caused commotions for some moments even as the court had to rise for some moments after he gained access and sat inside the courtroom of the apex court.
Omirhobo, has however explained that his appearance at yesterday’s proceedings was fully in line with his religious beliefs and injunctions.
The rights activists, who claimed to be a traditionalist, disclosed that following the judgment of the apex court last week which allowed for the use of hijab in schools and other public places, paving the way for people to reflect their various religions he was at liberty to reflect his own religion.
Omirhobo, further told journalists at the Supreme Court that it was within his fundamental human rights to so dressed to the Supreme Court which is a public place as per of exercising the rights as enshrined in the Constitution and ruled by the Supreme Court in the recent judgment that allowed all Nigerians to express their way of worship and the use of hijab in schools and public places.
The apex court had in a split judgment of five-to-two last Friday set aside the Lagos State ban on the use of hijab by female Muslim students in public schools.
The major judgment had claimed that the ban was done in violation of the fundamental rights to worship of the defendants and subsequently voided the ban.
The implication is that the defendants, including female students across the country are free to put on hijab to public schools.
Omirhobo, while commending the Supreme Court for the judgment noted that all adherents of the various religions in the country are now free to appear in the religious attire in public places in furtherance of their fundamental human rights.
Omirhobo, who arrived at the court some few minutes past 9 am, created a scene in the courtroom as other lawyers who were seated were surprised to see him robed in traditional attire like that of an herbalist.
The lawyer although had his gown and wig on, however, was without the usual black suit for male lawyers. His white shirt was worn over a red cloth tied around his waist and was barefooted. While he attached some feathers to his wig, he hung around his neck a gourd with cowries, to appear like an Olokun priest (the god of the river).
He dared the police officers and security guards who approached him to go out saying that he has the right to come to the court in his traditional regalia without any harassment in line with the judgment.
Addressing newsmen at the venue of the Supreme Court, Omirhobo said: “I am very grateful to the Supreme Court, just last week Friday they made a very resounding decision that promotes Section 38 of the constitution. That is our right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. That we are free to express our way of worship in our schools and in our courts. That decision was reached on Friday and that has encouraged me.
“Because 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.”
