MURIC slams petition on lawyer for wearing native doctor’s attire to court

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee of the Body of Benchers has given Malcolm Omirhobo, a lawyer and human rights activist from Lagos, 24 days to respond to a complaint made against him by Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) for showing up at the Supreme Court and the Federal High Court dressed as a native doctor.

The 24-day notice was delivered to Omirhobo by the LPDC in a letter dated October 7, 2022.
On June 27, 2022, Omirhobo made an appearance in court while donning a doctor’s costume from his native country over his wig in response to the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Muslim women’s hijabs.

However, in a letter dated October 7, 2022, and signed by the LPDC Secretary, Mr. Daniel Tela, Omirhobo was instructed to respond to a petition that MURIC had filed against him about his dress before the Supreme Court.

MURIC, the Muslim Rights Concern, had already denounced the lawyer’s conduct, calling it not only disrespectful of the Supreme Court’s ruling but also aggressive, patronising, and incompatible with the honourable practise of law.

Omirhobo posted on his social media account to confirm the 24-day notice, saying, “I have just received a frivolous and vexatious originating application in respect of the allegation of misconduct against me for dressing as prescribed by my religion in the exercise of my fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion by Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).” I have 24 days to provide my defence. Malcolm Omirhbo

In the originating application with the file number BB/LPDC/896/2022, which was sent to LPDC in response to accusations of professional misconduct, Omirhobo acted in a way that was inappropriate for a legal professional and embarrassed both MURIC and the legal profession, according to Muhammad Aliyu, the attorney for MURIC.

He said “Therefore, he (Omirhobo) shall be required to answer allegations contained in the Statement/Affidavit which accompanies this application and such order be made as the Committee shall think right.’’

Omirhobo was instructed to provide affidavits outlining his defense against the Originating Application made by MURIC in Case No. BB/LPDC/896/2022.

The Supreme Court upheld a Court of Appeal Lagos ruling that lifted the prohibition on the hijab in public schools in Lagos State in a decision handed down on June 17, 2022.

By a vote of 5 to 2, the Supreme Court determined that the Lagos High Court’s decision prohibiting female Muslim students from donning the hijab (a head covering veil) with their school uniforms was incorrect and should be annulled.

The appeal from Lagos State was later dismissed for lack of merit.

On June 23, 2022, Omirhobo, who was opposing the ruling, was seen on the grounds of the Supreme Court while dressed as a native doctor and sporting a wig and gown. He wore the same attire on Monday, June 27, to the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Some lawyers opposed the human rights lawyer’s attendance before the court in such garb, claiming that he could not be heard since he was not properly attired as a lawyer before the court.

Omirhobo went before Justice Tijiani Ringim wearing a lawyer’s gown over his bare feet and cowries linked to each of his two legs. His wig had two long feathers, and he also had cowries connected to each of his two hands.

When his case was called, he identified himself as the applicant. However, some lawyers, such as Festus Afeyodion and Abdullah Dania, told the court that he shouldn’t be heard because he wasn’t properly robbed.

Dania said, “I am a lawyer, my Lord can imagine the way my learned friend appears before the court as a professional. The rules that govern us as a lawyer do not allow improper dressing.”

Adamu told the court that he would like to furnish the court with his written submission in line with the direction of the court.