Law school happy at 72% success rate – DG

The Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Olanrewaju Onadeko, SAN has expressed satisfaction at the success rate of the August 2017 bar examination.

The DG disclosed this at the Call-to-Bar ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday December 12, 2017, while commending 29 of these who came up tops with First Class.

He said, “This is the highest number of First Class Grades obtained. The students worked really hard to merit their grades after a very thorough assessment and have done the Nigerian Law School and their families proud.”

Onadeko further disclosed that 29 bagged First Class; 211 obtained the second Class upper grade; 1, 046 made Second Class lower division and 3, 000 got the pass grade.

According to the DG, there had been a sustained level of focus and diligence among the students whom he noted had demonstrated a commendable sense of maturity and drive, adding that some were involved in various forms of examination malpractices.

Congratulating the newly called to lawyers, he urged them to make the best of the legal profession.

“Since it is your aspiration to belong to the noble profession of law, I urge you to ensure strict adherence to its norms and ethics.

“As you are aware, globalisation has impacted on the legal profession with the challenge of bench marking on minimum international best practices.

“You must ensure you exceed the minimum in all that you do. ”

The Director General also noted that the successful students had completed the vocational training at the school as prescribed by the Legal Education Act.

He stated further that they have also met all other conditions set by the Council, while also exhibiting good manners and decorum during their training.

“They have also been groomed in the best ethics and ethos of our noble profession.

“The screening committee of your distinguished body has carefully perused the records of each of the aspirants and have found them worthy to be presented for Call to the Nigerian Bar.

“I attest that they are fit and proper persons for Call and admissions to the Nigerian Bar,” he said.

In his address, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers and also Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, charged the candidates to practice the profession with diligence and sense of responsibility.

He charged them to promote the course of justice and rule of law, adding that their level of proficiency was of immense significance to the efficiency of the justice system of the country.

“I urge you to acquaint yourselves with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and all other relevant laws as far as administering justice is concerned,” he said.

Onnoghen said that the Body of Benchers, whose role also includes disciplinary actions, would not hesitate to bring to order any erring practitioner whose conduct might negate the standards of the profession.

The Nigerian Law School has to date graduated 117, 385 lawyers including all the judges of the superior courts of the country and almost all the legal practitioners.

The event was attended by past and present Body of Benchers, Attorney General of the Federation, past Directors-General of the school.

Others are members of the National Assembly, ministers, traditional rulers stakeholders in the Judiciary sector, families and friends of the new wigs.