Upgrade, Not Proliferation Of Law Schools – Body Of Benchers To National Assembly

By Ayodele Oni

Voice has continued to rise against multi campus system for the Nigeria Law School with the Body of Benchers (BOB) advising that those already in existence deserve upgrade and not establishment of more campuses.

The Body believes that those to be established are based on personal interest of politicians, especially national assembly members that are clamouring for campuses at their constituencies.

BOB has therefore advised the National Assembly against giving effect to its proposal to regulate the establishment of Law Schools in the country.

BOB Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) gave the advice, while admitting 4691 new lawyers at the Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday.

“May we plead with the National Assembly to stop toying with the idea of promulgating laws or amending the Legal Practitioners Act, to pave way for the proliferation of Law School campuses, particularly, around the neighbourhoods of some lawmakers.

“It is within the exclusive prerogative of the Council of Legal Education, in consultation with the Body of Benchers to establish new Law School campuses.

“While I do not question the jurisdiction of the National Assembly to make laws as appropriate, Law School campuses cannot be established without clearance from the Council of Legal Education.

“What we need now is the improvement and upgrading of the existing Law School campuses, using the newly commissioned Graham Douglas Law School Campus, Port Harcourt, built and equipped by the Rivers State Government as a model. I dare say that it is the best in the country for now.”

He advised the new lawyers to always uphold the ethics of the profession and desist from act that could portray the profession in bad light.

“It behoves me at this point to forthrightly prepare your minds for the inevitability of bumpy rides, aspersions, tirades, general vicissitudes, and such other contingencies to which all humans are susceptible.

“These eventualities are of universal character, sparing no one, irrespective of illustriousness or nobility of pedigree, tribal or ethnic affiliation, religious inclinations, affluence eminence or dexterity. Yours faithfully is, of course, a living example.

“Our profession boasts of, and parades three key words: noble, honourable and learned. Covet these flagship words in your endeavours, understanding and relationship with others.

“Do not engage in strife, blackmail, mudslinging, campaign of calumny, treachery or any attempt to run or pull anyone down.”

He urged senior lawyers to improve on the welfare of junior lawyers, and spoke of plans to mentor new lawyers nationwide through a mentoring committee of the BOB headed by J. K. Gadzama (SAN).

Olanipekun urged judges to be lenient with young lawyers, saying: “To our noble judges, before whom these young ones will start appearing, please be patient with them and exercise your awesome owners to commit for sparingly.”

Dwelling on the activities of the BOB, Olanipekun noted that the body is not an appendage of the Federal Government, or any government, institution or agency, howsoever.

“It is an independent and autonomous body, and its meetings, affairs and decisions are not influenced by any power or authority whatsoever.”