Sometime last week, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Malcom Omoirhobo got many bewildered at the Supreme Court in Abuja where he was seen dressed in his legal regalia festooned with some traditional religious adornments believed to be worn by adherents of ‘Olokun’, the ruler of all bodies of water and other water deities. The lawyer, who hails from Delta State, said he dressed to court in that manner to exercise his fundamental human rights following the judgement of the Supreme Court in the case of Lagos State Government v. Asiyat Abdulkareem that allows every Nigerian to express their way of worship and the use of hijab in schools and public places. On Monday, the lawyer appeared before the judge, Tijani Ringim, dressed the same way sparking reactions from some lawyers who argued he could not be heard. However, Omirhobo contended that the constitution states otherwise, and he could choose to appear that way. “My Lord, the rules cannot supersede the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said. After hearing his argument, Ringim asked Omirhobo to address the court on why he should be heard dressed as he was on the next adjourned date. The court ordered that the address must not be more than five pages with authorities cited, adding that it must be filed before the adjourned date. “You cannot address the court like this as a professional. I will adjourn your matter and you come and address the court if the rules allow you to appear in court like this,” the judge said. Omirhobo’s first suit, FHC/L/CS/929/2022, was against the federal government of Nigeria and others. His second suit; FHC/L/CS/1392/2021, was against the Nigeria Army and two others. The judge refused to hear both suits and adjourned the hearing to October 10, 2022.