On Friday the 1st of July 2022, A Nigerian Lawyer identified as Ogbachalu Goshen, appeared before the Okpoko Magistrate Court in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra state dressed in a priest’s attire.
This is following days after another lawyer also appeared before court in a traditionalist (native doctor) attire causing so many reactions on social media.
However, CB Mbaegbu, the magistrate refused hearing his case stating that the lawyer was out of uniform, Goshen in his response cited the recent Supreme Court judgement that gave female students the backing to wear hijab in public schools as a precedent.
Also standing his ground insisting that it was his right and the Magistrate’s objection was an infringement on his fundamental rights in accordance with Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This led to the Magistrate rising forcing the court to dismiss.
According to reports, when interviewed by journalists, Goshen was unwavering in his claims, he said that the incident had already become a constitutional matter since the Supreme Court’s ruling that allows the use of hijab in public schools and facilities. The lawyer said “the court needs to answer what its position would be if it were a female Muslim lawyer who entered the court in her hijab.”
He said he is an ordained pastor and should also be allowed to appear that way in court since the Supreme Court’s decision on the hijab matter is that it is allowed.
When asked if the Supreme Court ruling is in the best interest of the judiciary, he said that for now, it remains a precedent that must be obeyed unless there is a judicial review.
