A Lagos lawyer Malcolm E. Omirhobo, who sparked controversy on June 23 by appearing at the Supreme Court in a lawyer’s wig, gown mixed with Olokun religious attire, has reverted to a normal barrister’s dress code.
Omirhobo appeared at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday morning in the full wig, gown, bip, black trousers and shoes.
Speaking to journalists who accosted him, Omorhibo, said
“I’m led by the spirit to go normal today. Don’t be surprised if you see me the other way tomorrow…so, today is normal.”
When asked if “the spirit” was in conformity with the ethics of the legal profession and dress code, the lawyer laughed.
“What ethics are you talking about? Are you insulting my religion? Don’t try it, don’t insult my religion…the constitution according to the Supreme Court says I should dress according to my religious attire and you are insulting the Supreme Court, behave yourself. And for those who have got cause against me, please come to my shrine.”
Recall that on June 23, Omorhibo made news when he attended proceedings at the Supreme court dressed in his religious apparel of red wrapper, feathers on his hair with beads tied on his ankles. He said he was a traditionalist and argued that his decision was based on the Supreme Court’s judgement that ruled in favour of Muslim students wearing the hijab in Lagos schools.
The Supreme Court on June 17 in an appeal by Lagos State sanctioned the wearing of a head cover (hijab) in public schools by female Muslim students.
On Tuesday, Justice Tijani Ringim of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos Monday declined to hear the cases brought before the court by Omirhobo because of his unusual attire. The judge adjourned his cases till October 10 and asked Omirhobo to return with an explanation as to whether the law and legal practice permit him to appear that way in court.
