The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has ordered parties in the appeal over the use of hijab by female Muslim students of the University of Ibadan International School Ibadan, to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of an application for stay of execution.

The order followed an application filed by the Muslim Rights Concern seeking a stay of execution of the court's July 3 judgment, which by a split decision of two to one had upturned an earlier ruling of the Oyo State High Court that favoured the wearing of hijab by Muslim students of the school.

Hearing the application, a three man panel of justices led by Justice Kenneth Amadi, alongside Justice Fadawu Umar and Justice Binta Suberu, directed the University of Ibadan, International School Ibadan and the Muslim Rights Concern to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the stay of execution application.

Amadi stressed that none of the parties had the right to take any action until the application for stay of execution had been heard and determined, noting that once a motion of stay of execution has been filed, parties cannot proceed to act.

He expressed concern over reports that the school had begun harassing students over the use of hijab, questioning the rush to enforce the judgment, and pointed out that the seven day period stipulated by law for the release of the Certified True Copy of the judgment was still running.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter till October 7 for the hearing of the application for a stay of execution.

Earlier in proceedings, Counsel to the Muslim Rights Concern, Mr Yusuf Anikulapo, represented by Mr Hassan Fajimite, informed the court of his application seeking a stay of execution of the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on July 3.

Fajimite told the court of his intention to substitute the application, explaining that it was not yet ripe for hearing, and urged the court to order the parties to maintain the status quo while requesting an adjournment.

Counsel to the International School Ibadan and University of Ibadan, Mr Damilola Akinsanya, did not oppose the application for adjournment.