NOUN Law Graduates Ineligible For Law School Admission, CLE Reiterates Position

 

By our reporter

The Nigerian Law School had during the recent Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association held in Lagos reiterated its position that National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is not qualified to nominate students for admission into the law school.

In a response to a question at the end of the conference over the fate of NOUN following the recent amendments of the university’s Act by the Senate from ‘correspondence’ to now ‘full-time’, with a view to resolving the lingering crisis over admission, the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr. Olanrewaju Onadeko (SAN), stated that the Council of Legal Education (CLE) had not changed its position concerning NOUN, and therefore, “the university remains ineligible to nominate students for admission into the law school.”

Reacting to the development, the NOUN Law Graduates Forum (LGF) said through its Chairman, Mr. Carl Umegboro, that there is no cause for alarm as the judgment slated for October 4 at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will positively vindicate them.

He said: “There’s no cause for worry as we will meet in court on October 4. We expect only two things on that day to wit-equity and justice. The court is a court of equity and justice; hence, we are not moved by any statements from anybody or persons, but remain optimistic that the protracted battle will finally be nailed at the altar of justice. No doubt, it is regrettable, but the predicaments cannot linger ad infinitum.

“The Council, like any other bodies or persons is entitled to hold any opinions and make verdicts as a fundamental right. However, the noble body understands clearly that all opinions, decisions and resolutions are subject to that of the court. The right to freedom of expression provided in Section 39 of 1999 Constitution as amended is a remarkable attribute of a civilized society.”

According to Umegboro, “Interestingly, whilst anyone can leverage on that to hold any opinions or decisions, Section 36 which equally gives right to fair-hearing alongside principle of audi alteram partem can remedy the status quo. We strongly believe that justice will prevail.”

Justice H.I.O. Oshomah had after hearing on July 5, fixed judgment on October 4. The earlier judgment by Justice B.O. Quadri on January 27 did not hold after which the new judge took over and reheard the case.

The law graduates are challenging the position of CLE through their counsel, Professor Abiodun Amuda-Kannike (SAN) seeking orders to compel the CLE to admit them into the Nigerian Law School on account of the accreditation of NOUN’s law programme by National Universities Commission, NUC.

The CLE is the first defendant in the suit. Others are the National Universities Commission; the plaintiffs’ alma mater, NOUN, and the Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice who are the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively.