Abuja, Nigeria – May 13, 2025
The Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa Chiroma (SAN), has issued a stern warning that examination malpractice is a grave academic offense capable of disqualifying students from being called to the Nigerian Bar. He made this statement during an investigative hearing by the House Committee on Justice, led by Hon. Olumide Osoba, convened to address concerns over alleged delays in bar results and a backlog of graduates awaiting call.
Addressing a petition submitted by hundreds of aggrieved law graduates who claimed their results were being withheld, Professor Chiroma categorically dismissed the allegations. He explained that the Law School operates a transparent and structured system, guided by a detailed academic calendar that outlines the entire process from admission to result release.
According to him, “Results are only published after being approved by the Council of Legal Education and are immediately uploaded to the Law School portal.” He added that the notion of arbitrary result withholding is unfounded.
Professor Chiroma further backed his position by presenting video and photographic evidence of students caught in acts of malpractice. Some were seen writing answers on their laps and concealed areas of their bodies. He stressed that any student found guilty of such offenses faces strict consequences, including disqualification from being called to the bar.
“The Body of Benchers has the final say on who qualifies for the bar,” Chiroma emphasized. “And no student involved in exam malpractice or who fails to meet academic requirements will be recommended.”
He noted that when a student is caught with unauthorized materials or devices such as mobile phones, due process is followed. The individual is invited to appear before the Law School’s Committee of Management to defend themselves before a verdict is reached.
In response, Hon. Osoba commended the Law School for its integrity in handling examinations and praised the management for installing CCTV surveillance at the Abuja campus. He called for expanded funding to equip all Law School campuses with similar surveillance systems.
“The pictorial evidence presented here strengthens public trust in the institution’s internal processes,” Osoba remarked. He also announced plans for the Committee to conduct oversight visits to various Law School campuses nationwide in the coming weeks.
Professor Chiroma also clarified misconceptions about the bar call process, noting that the Nigerian Law School does not conduct Call to Bar ceremonies. “The Body of Benchers solely organizes the Call to Bar, based on its own calendar,” he explained. He disclosed that successful candidates would be called in two batches this year: July 8–10 and November 18–20.
The hearing concluded with a reaffirmation of the Law School’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the legal profession. Professor Chiroma reassured lawmakers that no student’s results were being unfairly withheld and humorously asked if the Committee members were fasting as he recounted the rigorous and transparent processes adopted by the institution.
The upcoming oversight visits are expected to provide lawmakers with a deeper understanding of the Law School’s infrastructure and support the drive to ensure that only candidates of integrity and competence join the legal profession.