Nursing Student Fails To Prove Free Exercise Claim

In Olojo v. Kennedy King College, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 42109 (ND Ill., June 7, 2006), a nursing student at a state community college filed a series of claims against her teacher and the school, one alleging a violation of the free exercise clause. Badejoko Olojo claimed that her professor, Kina Montgomery told her "not to ever mention the name of Jesus anytime she is engaged in a conversation with her." Also, upon learning of Olojo's pregnancy, Montgomery asked Olojo whether she would like to use contraceptives to terminate the pregnancy. Olojo explained that her religious beliefs prevented her from doing so. The court concluded that Olojo made no allegations that Prof. Montgomery inhibited her ability to practice her religion in any way. The court found Olojo's other statutory civil rights claims so frivolous that it imposed Rule 11 sanctions on the attorney involved.