A teenage candidate, Lawal Hameedat Adenike, has filed a lawsuit against the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and PEFTI over an alleged incident in which she was compelled to remove her hijab before being allowed to take the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

 

According to Vanguard, the case was brought before the court by Lawal’s mother, Basirat Ojo, alongside her legal representative, Qousim Opakunle.

 

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Friday, Ojo recounted that the incident occurred on April 25, 2025, at the PEFTI CBT Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State. She claimed that her daughter was denied access to the examination unless she removed her hijab, which she wears as part of her religious beliefs.

 

Describing the experience as distressing and humiliating, Ojo said, “As her mother, I had to take action to protect her rights.”

 

The family is demanding a formal public apology from both JAMB and PEFTI, to be published in two national newspapers. They are also seeking compensation for what they describe as a violation of Lawal’s constitutional rights.

 

Lawal’s solicitor, Qousim Opakunle, underscored the legal grounds for the case, citing Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

 

“This action is a clear breach of her fundamental rights,” he stated. “It is our responsibility to defend these rights, especially for minors who may not have the power to stand up for themselves.”