The Limit of Freedom – By Frank Ofili

In a classic mockery, and somewhat satirical condemnation of the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria allowing wearing of Hijab in Lagos schools, a legal practitioner, Chief Malcom Omirhobo, last week, appeared before the Supreme Court dressed in African Traditional Religion attire, instead of a lawyer’s robes.

The man caused quite a stir, and the learned Justices refused to hear his case. But his point was made. And clearly too.

Without uttering a word, Malcom Omirhobo told the Supreme Court how ridiculous it’s own judgment was.

For the records, the Supreme Court ruling was ostensibly to affirm the right of individuals as provided for in Section 38 of the Constitution; that is, freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

The implication of that judgment is that every Nigerian, including doctors, police officers, soldiers, bankers, students, journalists etc can now wear what pleases their fancy anytime anywhere in public places in expression of their mode of worship.

Following from that, or more appropriately, pursuant to that, my office people are hereby served notice that next time they see me in office, I shall appear in the attire of the traditional priest of my village deity, Iyi Agwu. If na craze make we all kukuma craze, courtesy of the Supreme Court.

Of course, no one questions the right of individuals to their personal liberty, but for the sake of national cohesion, there ought to be limit to individual freedom. It would be unfathomable, for instance, to behold a Justice of the Supreme Court appearing in court in Olokun priest attire. Or a banker, for that matter, appearing in banking hall in an Amadioha priest regalia! By the Supreme Court judgment of last week, nothing would be wrong with that, after all, bankers and their Lordships also have rights.