Read Below Statement Released From Lawshool

The attention of the Nigerian Law School has been drawn to a
write up on social media by one Henrilynn Ibezim, an ex-student
of the institution. It is not the practice of the Nigerian Law
School as an institution to join issues with any writer who has
chosen to pursue official matters on social media. But in this
case; and to put the records straight in the interest of the
public, the facts as they relate to Mr.Ibezim are narrated below.

He was a candidate who was successful at the Bar Final
Examinations of August 2014. He along with other eligible
candidates were subsequently screened for Call to the Bar in
November 2014. However, while the screening exercise was on
going, a man (who was later identified as a car wash operator,
opposite the Nigerian Law School, Bwari premises),was found
distributing computer printed notices to other prospective
candidates, to the effect that those who needed extra invitation
cards for the ceremonies should call an indicated number for
procurement.

When he was quizzed by a Nigerian Law School Security Officer
on how he came about the notice, he responded that
Mr.Henrilynn Ibezim, a prospective candidate for Call to the Bar
ceremony, had sent him to distribute the notice. He was then
instructed to call Mr. Ibezim on telephone and inform him that
he had found some interested buyers, whom he should meet
near the School gate. He did put the call through and soon
thereafter, Mr. Ibezim drove to where he was, believing that he
had secured some prospective ‘customers’. On arrival, he
opened the boot of his vehicle and packs of forged Call to the
Bar invitation cards, identical to the cards being officially issued
to candidates, were found therein. Both of them were handed
over to the police as required by law.

The Body of Benchers (BOB),Nigeria, is the the statutory body
charged with the responsibility for the Call and admission of
eligible persons to the Bar. As a prerequisite for Call, the BOB
screens every candidate to determine their suitability. As
required of the Nigerian Law School by the BOB, a report of the
incident involving Mr Ibezim was made to the Screening
Committee of the body. After due consideration, the Body of
Benchers decided that the Call to the Bar of Mr Ibezim should
be put on hold, pending the determination of the allegation
against him.

Sometime in June 2016, the Nigerian Law school received a letter
from a law firm, forwarding the judgement of a Magistrate Court
discharging and acquitting Mr Ibezim of the offense charged. He
further demanded the release of his Call to the Bar certificate.
Not having been Called to the Bar, and since he is yet to be
issued with a Call to the Bar certificate by the Honourable Body
of Benchers, there was no certificate to release. The letter was
received after the closure of the screening exercise for the July
2016 Call to the Bar ceremonies, hence it could not be presented
to the BOB. His case was consequently scheduled for
presentation to the Screening Committee of the Body of
Benchers, for consideration at the next screening exercise in
November.

The Nigerian Law School trains and graduates thousands of
students each year for Call to the Nigerian Bar. The
management of the School did not deny Mr. Ibezim of his Call
to the Bar or the certificate thereon. His unexpected
involvement, being a student at the penultimate stage of being
admitted to the Nigerian Bar, in invitation cards scam was the
basis.

As noted before, the matter was promptly reported to the
Police, who proceeded with it accordingly. It is worthy of note
that the School and its functionaries were not privy to the
proceedings, the judgement of which was sent in by Mr.
Ibezim’s Lawyer. It is certainly not the doing of any staff of the
School that Mr Ibezim got himself entangled in the situation he
has found himself.

Chinedu Ukekwe
Head, Information and Protocol.

www.thenigerialawyer.com/lawschool-re-allegation-of-denial-of-rights-by-henrilynn-ibezim-by-law-school-dg/