Esteemed readers,
Please find below a copy of MURIC's protest letter sent to the Commissioner for Education in Lagos State over the outlandish and cruel caning of a Lagos school girl:
The Honourable Commissioner, 25th February, 2013
Ministry of Education,
The Secretariat,
Alausa, Ikeja.
Honourable Commissioner Ma,
PETITION AGAINST THE PRINCIPAL OF KADARA JUNIOR GRAMMAR SCHOOL, EBUTE METTA
As a human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is keen on promoting the enviable principles of justice and fairness. True to our motto, 'Dialogue, No Violence', MURIC has pursued cases of violation of the rights of Muslims in particular and Nigerians in general through dialogue. We have consistently renounced violence and we encourage our members as well as the general public to pursue their grievances by approaching the authorities using civilized methods. This explains why we have chosen to forward this petition to you.
On Tuesday 5th February, 2013, at about 3.50 pm, the principal of Kadara Junior Grammar School, Ebute Metta, Mrs. Ukpaka, personally administered 43 strokes of the cane on a female Muslim student by name Aisha Alabi who is in JSS 2D. The principal's grouse was that the student wore hijab at the time.
This case is making the rounds all over Lagos State. It has also leaked to the press. Tension is mounting and Muslims in the state are demanding justice. MURIC calls the Honourable Commissioner's attention to the reckless action of this principal. We suspect a strong feeling of Islamophobia tainted with sadism in her action. The fact that a minor is given 43 lashes of the cane is very disturbing. We are of the humble opinion that children should be protected from this type of school official.
We affirm that Mrs. Ukpaka's action tantamounts to blatant child abuse. It is unethical and highly provocative. This school principal has subjected an innocent child to immense psychological trauma thereby impugning upon her personal dignity and infringing upon her Allah-given and fundamental human rights contrary to the provisions of Article 18 of the United Nations Charter and Articles 9 and 14 of the European Treaty of Human Rights and Articles 18 and 19 of the Treaty of Civil and Political Rights all of which Nigeria is a signatory. Her action also constitute a breach of Section 38 (i) & (ii) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
We demand an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this ugly incident. We also appeal to the Honourable Commissioner to use her good office in taking actions and making pronouncements capable of dousing tension on this unfortunate incident. Lagos has been peaceful over the years, we have all benefitted from the peaceful atmosphere and we intend to maintain the status quo.
Eko o ni baje o. Amin.
Professor Is-haq Akintola Abdul Razaq Uthman
Director Public Relations Officer
cc
1. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State
2. Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Lagos State Chapter
3. The Nigerian Muslim Council
4. The Criterion
5. The Companion
6. Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) Lagos Chapter
7. Muslim Teachers Association (MUTAN) Lagos Chapter
8. Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN)
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