Lawmakers Oppose Withholding of 6,000 Bar Exam Results
The House of Representatives on Thursday voiced strong concerns over the extended delay in releasing Bar exam results for over 6,000 students by the Council of Legal Education.
During discussions on a motion titled “Urgent Need to Address the Withholding of Bar Results and Backlog of Students Awaiting Call to Bar,” Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu and Hon. Ayokunle Isiaka brought the matter to the floor.
Hon. Isiaka, leading the debate, criticized the Council’s management of the issue, emphasizing that this delay has far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s legal system and the aspirations of future lawyers.
“The House is concerned that the ongoing delay in releasing Bar examination results and the backlog of students awaiting their Call to Bar is not just an administrative issue but a humanitarian crisis that requires immediate intervention,” he said.
He expressed sorrow over reports that since November 2024, three students awaiting their results had passed away, including Mr. Sunday Nwaham (March 22, 2025) and Mrs. Oluyinka Ogundipe (February 7, 2025). He described these deaths as tragic outcomes stemming from stress and uncertainty caused by the delays.
“This is not an isolated incident; it reflects the profound distress that many students are enduring. Additionally, some elderly individuals, aged between 70 and 80, who pursued legal education out of passion for justice, are also caught in this bureaucratic limbo,” Isiaka added.
He highlighted that justice and fairness are foundational principles of the legal profession, and institutions responsible for training future lawyers must embody these values.
“The current situation is a disservice to those who have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of justice and the rule of law. We must act urgently to address this issue for the sake of the affected students, their families, and the nation as a whole,” he urged.
In response to the debate, the House directed its joint Committees on Judiciary and Justice to engage with both the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School to ensure all outstanding Bar results are released promptly.
The committees were also instructed to encourage the Council to establish a streamlined system for prioritizing students ready for their Call to Bar, ensuring efficiency in processing those who have completed their training and are prepared to join the legal profession.
