Two Ekiti Communities Lay Claim To New Law School Campus

By Ayodele Oni

There seems to be controversy over the location of one of the six new Law Schools approved by the Senate on Tuesday, to be located in each geopolitical zone of the country.

Location of one of the schools, earmarked for Ekiti state is causing ripples as Ilawe and Ifaki communities are laying claim to it.

Early morning announcement monitored on the State owned Radio had quoted Ifaki community congratulating the National Assembly for the gesture.

Media Adviser to the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Chief Ajibade Olubunmi, one of the High Chiefs in the Community issued a statement to counter the position of Ifaki Community.

Chief Olubunmi’s statement reads:

“The Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, HRM, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi , AFUNTADE 1, has, on behalf of the entire people of Ilawe Ekiti commended the Distinguished members of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for approving the siting  of the campus of the Nigerian Law School meant for the South West geo-political zone, in Ilawe Ekiti.

“Oba Alabi made the commendation in his Palace at Ilawe Ekiti while reacting to the approval by the Senate.

“The Alawe specifically commended the Leadership of the Senate led by Distinguished Senator Ahmed Jubril  Lawan and the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Education headed by Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, as well as the sponsor of the motion, Senator Smart Adeyemi.

“Oba  Alabi further stressed the readiness of Ilawe Ekiti in the provision of Land and other wherewithal  to make the town conducive for learning.

“The Monarch urged members of the public to disregard the earlier fake news that the campus was for another town.

“He stated that he appeared before the Senate Committee on legal Education  in Abuja in November 2021 and spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers of the six geo political zones where the six proposed Law Schools would be sited.

“The Alawe thanked members of the public for their support noting that the erroneous impression created by a few section of the press  was corrected at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday evening by the sponsor of the motion Senator Smart Adeyemi  with a confirmation that Ilawe Ekiti would host the Law School campus for the South West geo political zone of Nigeria.”

The Senate had on Tuesday passed a Bill that increased the number of Law School campuses from six to 12.

Titled: “A Bill for an Act to amend the Legal Education (Consolidation, etc) Act by establishing the campuses for the Nigerian Law School, and for other related matters” was sponsored by Kogi West Senator Smart Adeyemi.

The passage of the Bill followed the adoption of the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters that considered the Bill.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele presented the report.

The existing Law School Campuses are located in Lagos (Southwest); Abuja (North Central); Yola, Adamawa State (Northeast); Kano (Northwest); Enugu (Southeast) and Yenegoa, Bayelsa State (South-South).

The additional Campuses approved by the Senate are Kabba Law School Campus, Kogi State (North-central); Maiduguri Law School Campus, Borno State (North-east); and Argungu Law School Campus, Kebbi State (North-west).

Others are Jos Law School Campus, Plateau State (North Central); Okija Law School Campus, Anambra State (South-east); Orogun Law School Campus, Delta State (South-south) and Ifaki Law School Campus, Ekiti State (South-west).