[IN FULL] Address By Law School DG, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN At Call To The Bar Ceremony Of July 27, 2021

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*Says Law School Trains Over 6000 Students Annually
*Nigeria Law School Has Contributed To The Training Of Legal
Man- Power For African Countries
*NLS Under Our Watch Has Witnessed More Positive
Transformations
*Bar Final Examinations Effective 2018 Have Greatly Improved.
*Projects Are Already Flagged-Off For Immediate Construction
*Total Of 880 Candidates, were Successful At The December 2020 Bar
Exam
*Says New Buildings In Bayelsa And Porthacourt Campuses Have
Begun
*Says NOUN Graduates Have Resumed Remedial Program At The Abuja
Campus

The Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu
Chiroma, SAN, has charged the new wigs to make the best use of the
legal profession.

He also admonished them to Uphold the rule of law by adhering
strictly to the ethics of the profession and to avoid practices,
that may run foul to the ethics of the Profession.

This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday, by Prof. Chiroma,
SAN, at the Call To The Bar Ceremony held at Eagle Square,
Abuja.

Read the full statement below

ADDRESS TO THE BODY OF BENCHERS BY PROF. ISA HAYATU
CHIROMA, SAN, FCIArb, FICMC DIRECTOR-GENERAL, NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL,
AT THE PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR CALL TO THE NIGERIAN BAR AT
THE EAGLE SQUARE, ABUJA ON TUESDAY, 27TH JULY, 2021

The Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Hon. Justice Bode
Rhodes-Vivour, JSC, CFR, Life Bencher,

The Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers,
The Immediate Past Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Mr. O.C.J.
Okocha, MFR, SAN. Life Bencher,
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Dr. Justice Ibrahim Tanko
Muhammad, Life Bencher
The Honourable the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister
of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN,
Past Chairmen of the Body of Benchers,
The Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige,
SAN
Distinguished and Honourable Members of the Body of Benchers,
Honourable Justices and Grand Khadis here present,
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide Akpata,
Esq.,

Members of the Inner and Utter Bar,
Distinguished Senators,
Honourable Members of the Federal House of Representatives,
Executive Governors here present,
Our Royal Fathers,
Proud Parents, Guardians and Relations,
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to welcome you all to this solemn and
memorable ceremony, for the admission to the Nigerian Bar of
successful candidates at the December 2020 Bar Final Examinations,
conducted by the Nigerian Law School under the supervision of the
Council of Legal Education.

I sincerely and heartily congratulate all the successful
candidates for their hard work and dedication, the joyous reason of
our presence here today. To all the proud parents and
relations, I convey warm felicitations on the remarkable success of
these candidates, who in a short time will become the new wigs of
the Nigerian Bar and proud members of our noble profession.

Kindly recall that at the last Call to the Bar ceremonies in
September 2020 that I brought to your attention the effect and
consequences of the COVID -19, pandemic on the activities of the
Nigerian Law School. I am happy to report that with the
pro-active steps taken by the Council of Legal Education,
Management of the Nigerian Law School and most importantly the
invaluable support from the Federal Government of Nigeria under the
able leadership of Mr. President, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari,
GCFR, we undoubtedly withered the storm, as no serious case of
fatality on the account of the deadly virus was recorded in the
entire Nigerian Law School community.

Another area of concern worthy of mention at this auspicious
occasion is that of heightened security situation in our country,
especially around the host cities of our headquarters and
campuses. Again as you all know, this is largely fuelled by
persons who patronize the social media for selfish and destructive
reasons.

To the glory of God, all the orchestrated fears and rumours of
imminent attacks on the Nigerian Law School community never and
will never see the light of the day. However, adequate
safeguards for all the campuses and headquarters Bwari here in the
federal Capital Territory have been deployed.

I wish to acknowledge the continuous co-operation of the
military authorities, in particular, the Chief of defence Staff for
their support and advise at all times. The same goes to the
Inspector-General of Police, his officers and men for their
support.

A way from the above distractions, let me on behalf of the
council of Legal Education, Management, staff and current student’s
of the Nigerian Law School invite you all to share in the success
and joy of these candidates we are celebrating today.

No doubt, the renewed Lawyering skills, knowledge acquired and
expressed by our soon to become new wigs brings great joy to the
entire Nigerian Law School community.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL OF LEGAL EDUCATION AND
NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL

The Council of Legal Education was established by the Legal
Education Act 1962 to provide Vocational Training for law graduates
aspiring for Call to the Nigerian Bar.

The Nigerian Law school which is the training arm of the Council
of Legal Education is a multi-Campus institution; with headquarters
in Abuja and Campuses in Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Yenagoa and Yola. From
these locations, we train over six thousand (6,000) students
annually.

CONTINUING PROGRESS AT THE NIGERIAN LAW
SCHOOL

Leveraging from achievements of our past teachers and leaders,
the Nigerian Law School has had to sustain its enviable growth and
development for nearly six (6) decades to the admiration of many,
the importance of the Nigerian Law School in manpower training and
development for our country cannot be over emphasized, particularly
in the aspect of the Administration of Justice and sustenance of
the Rule of Law. It is crystal clear that from inception, the
Nigerian Law School has been solely responsible for the vocational
and practical training of University law graduates for admission to
the Nigerian Bar. From its humble beginning in 1963 with 8 students
at its one block Campus at 213A, Igbosere Road, Lagos, the Nigerian
Law School has grown to a six-Campus Institution spread across the
country with a yearly intake of well over 6,000 (six
thousand) students as stated above.

This is a testimony to the healthy astronomical growth, not just
of the institution, but also in legal profession. In about 59 years
of its existence, the School has had uninterrupted sessions as
there has never been any incident of a closure of the Institution
on account of student unrest, strike action by staff or for any
other reason.

This is a rare quality in academic institutions in Nigeria today
and therefore deserves commendation and emulation by other
institutions of learning.

For these years, there has never been, at the Nigerian Law
School, any incident or report of secret cultism, a menace which
has ravaged our higher institutions of learning, and the secret is
the insistence of the Council of Legal Education on the good
character of the students as a condition for both admission into
the Law School and recommendation for Call to the Bar.

The Nigerian Law School has contributed to training of an entire
arm of government – the judiciary. It is a tribute to the School
that all Judges of the various Courts in Nigeria (including the
Chief Justice of Nigeria) are products of the Nigerian Law
School.

Likewise, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of
Justice, all States’ Attorneys-General and Commissioner for Justice
and Law Officers serving in their Chambers are all products of the
School.

It is also significant to note that a large number of members of
other tiers of Government in the country are products of the
School.

The School has also contributed to the training of the legal
man-power for our sister African countries like the Republic of the
Gambia, the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Republic of Cameroun.
A number of countries from East and West Africa have visited the
Law School to solicit information and assistance on the
establishment and development of the Law School in their various
countries.

The products of the School have commanding presence in other
spheres of public and private sector such as the Military, Police,
Customs, Immigration, the Oil and Gas sector, Banking and Finance,
Insurance and the Corporate world in general, Professors/Lecturers
in the Universities and other tertiary institutions. Some of
these products have achieved profound feat of getting to the top of
their career nationally and cross borders.

BRIEF REPORT ON ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND
PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE
NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL

Without the risk of sounding immodest the Nigerian Law school,
under our watch has witnessed and expressed more positive
transformations in the areas of Academics, better Administrative
and Physical Infrastructural development, again and of course,
building on past achievements and legacies.

By providing and creating better learning and conducive
environment for students and staff, our performance at the Bar
final Examinations effective 2018 have greatly improved. With
lots of candidates coming out with first classes, and with other
impressive grades as well as winning outstanding prizes and awards
to the admiration of the entire legal community.

The Nigerian Law School Headquarters and campuses have Equally
witnessed in the period under review new constructions, renovations
and remodeling of many structures and buildings that hitherto
continued to suffer serious neglect on account of poor budgetary
provisions.

It is no longer news, that we achieved and still making the
difference largely due to prudent use of very lean resources at our
disposal and through the gracious interventions of good spirited
Nigerians, Organisations and other concerned stakeholders.

MAJOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUCCESS STORIES

Recently, the Government of Rivers State under the able
leadership of the Executive Governor, His Excellency Nyesom Wike,
CON graciously approved the construction of some critical projects
for the Yenagoa Campus of the Nigerian law School.

The projects include:

A 1,500 seating capacity Auditorium (Multi-Purpose Hall).
Two 900 bed spaces male and female hostels.

I am happy to report to this very important assemblage that
those projects were flagged-off for immediate construction by the
Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of
Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN on Friday June 4, 2021 at the
Nigerian Law School, Yenagoa Campus, Bayelsa State. We cannot thank
His Excellency, the Government and the good people of Rivers State
enough for this proactive and progressive intervention. Again in a
similar and welcome development, the Federal Government on receipt
of the kind request from the Government of Rivers State to build a
new campus of the Nigerian Law School in the state granted and
conveyed Mr. President’s approval for the establishment of a campus
of the Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt. This is indeed
heart warming and calls for celebrations. We thank most
profoundly Mr. President, and Mr. Governor of Rivers State
respectively. Let me also use this medium to thank again and
appreciate our numerous benefactresses for their kind interventions
and firm believe in the Nigerian Law School renewal project.
May God reward all your kind interventions and assistance.

The Council of Legal Education, Nigerian Law School is also
grateful to the family, friends, classmates, and associates of our
amiable Chairman, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN who were with us at the
grand ceremony of his 60^th Birthday held on Sunday July
11, 2021 at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus and used the
opportunity to proudly identify With us. We appreciate
greatly your invaluable contributions anddonations to the Nigerian
Law School. Thank you and congratulations again our amiable
chairman for the good initiative and platform.

ADMISSION OF NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF
NIGERIAN (NOUN) LAW GRADUATES TO THE NIGERIAN
LAW SCHOOL FOR REMEDIAL COURSE

The Council of Legal Education, Nigerian Law School have been
receiving commendations from stakeholders and the general public
for offering Admissions to Law graduates of National Open
University of Nigeria (NOUN) for special remedial course. I
am also to respectfully inform you all that the programme commenced
on Monday June 28, 2021 at the Nigerian Law School Headquarters,
Bwari, Abuja. We thank the chairman and distinguished members
of the Body of Benchers for your kind considerations and assistance
in this regard.

PRESENTATION OF THE DECEMBER 2020 BAR FINAL EXAMINATIONS
RESULT – GENERAL PERFORMANCE

Mr. Chairman, distinguished members of the Body of Benchers, I
will be presenting at this Call to the Bar ceremonies a total of
880 candidates, who were successful at the December 2020 Bar Final
examinations as well as 4 candidates from previous Bar Final
Examinations.

I am happy to report on the good performance recorded by the
candidates as seen in the Executive Summary below:

General Performance

(a) Total number of students who
participated at the

Examinations: 1561

(b) Total number of successful
candidates: 880

I wish to assure all of you that we shall remain the gate
keepers of our noble profession. As Teachers and Administrators, we
will continue to uphold the standard and integrity of the Bar.

As seen above, the result and the general performance, is well
above average, very good and justifies the huge investment and
sacrifice made by all concerned. We promise to sustain and even
surpass the attained record with a zeal to continuously progress in
all we do as long as our students are willing to excel, we shall
avail them of the opportunity to achieve their goals.

TO THE NEW WIGS

I sincerely congratulate our candidates for Call to the Bar
today. I also felicitate with their parents, guardians and
relations on being part of this memorable and auspicious
occasion.

No doubt, today is a day of great joy for you all, having come
this far in realizing your dreams of becoming members of the noble
profession of law.

My prayer for you all is that the Almighty God will grant you
all rewarding careers at the Bar. I enjoin you to make the best of
the legal profession, since it is your free will to belong to it.
You must also ensure strict adherence to its norms and ethics. We
wish you the best for the future.

SINCERE APPRECIATION

May I at this time respectfully seek the leave of Mr. Chairman
and distinguished members of the Body of Benchers, to thank our
supervisory Ministry – the Federal Ministry of Justice headed by
the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of
Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN for the support always given to
us as an institution.

I will also wish to thank the Chairman and Members of the
Council of Legal Education, our parent body for their support and
guidance at all times.

The same appreciation goes to the Chairman and members of the
Body of Benchers for their constant support and encouragement. I
must also mention the Secretariat of the distinguished body for its
co-operation with us at all times.

We equally thank the President of the most progressive and
largest Bar on the continent of Africa, Mr. Olumide Akpata, Esq for
their contributions to the Nigerian Law School, Nigerian Bar
Association and the Legal Profession in general.

Finally, with all sense of duty and responsibility, I wish to
commend the excellent work ethics of the Academic and non-academic
members of staff of the Nigerian Law School, who work tirelessly
and most times beyond the call of duty to ensure that the task of
producing the legal man-power needs of our country is sufficiently
attained.

AFFIRMATION OF LEARNING AND CHARACTER

The Distinguished Chairman of the Body of Benchers Sir,
distinguished members of the Body, may I now present to you, the
aspirants here assembled this morning/afternoon for Call to the
Nigerian Bar. They wish to and are eligible to become members of
the learned and noble profession of Law. They have successfully
completed the vocational training at the Nigerian Law School as
prescribed by the Legal Education Act.

They have all taken the prescribed examinations as well as the
dining terms and met all other required conditions set by the
Council of Legal Education.

I am happy to affirm that they all exhibited good manners and
decorum during their training. They have also been groomed in the
best ethics and ethos of our noble profession.

Together with other academic and non-academic members of staff
of the Nigerian Law School, I have closely monitored these
aspirants during their training and I vouch for each and every one
of them as men and women of learning and character as demanded by
your august body.

The screening committee of your distinguished body has carefully
perused the records of each of the aspirants and found them worthy
to be presented for Call to the Nigerian Bar. I attest that they
are fit and proper persons for Call and admission to the Nigerian
Bar.

Mr. Chairman, may I respectfully and in my honour present to the
Distinguished Body of Benchers, the following applicants 880 (from
the total list of qualified applicants) and 4 from previous Call
here present, for Call to the Bar at this ceremony.

Thank you for this privilege and God bless.