Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Malcom Omoirhobo, on Thursday caused a sartorial commotion in a courtroom at the Supreme Court when he appeared in the full traditional regalia of an “Olokun priest” to attend court proceedings.
According to Omoirhobo, he dressed to court in the Olokun priest’s regalia to exercise his fundamental human rights following last Friday’s Supreme Court’s judgment granting Nigerians the right to express their way of worship in the use of hijab in schools and public places.
The Supreme Court had on Friday given approval to female Muslim students to wear hijab to school in Lagos State. In the judgement, five out of the seven members of the court’s panel which sat on the case ruled in favour of hijab with two members dissenting.
Omoirhobo, who arrived at the court at about 9:05 am, caused commotion in the courtroom as members of both the Bench (justices) and Bar (lawyers) who had been seated were visibly shocked to see him robed in what looked like an herbalist’s attire.
He entered into the courtroom barefooted with feathers attached to his wig and wearing around his ankle jangle that rattles as he walked. He also wore a gourd on his necklace with cowries and a red wrapper tied around his waist.
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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.
The court proceedings were abruptly stopped when the presiding justice suddenly announced that they would be going for a short break.
Though it could not be immediately ascertained what was responsible for the short break.
The situation attracted a large crowd who thronged the courtroom to catch a glimpse as people were seen using their mobile phones to take his pictures.
Malcom who addressed journalists 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.”
Malcom said the implication of the judgement was that every Nigerian, including doctors, police, military students, and journalists, can now wear their mode of worship in public places.
He added that he was not against the judgement rather he was happy with the decision because it strengthened and enriched the rights of all Nigerians as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
