Non-acceptance of lower standards despite failure

Mr. O.C.J Okocha

*The recently released Bar Final examination results has created concern in the Nigerian legal community. Many have observed that the dismal performance of the students in the exams is unprecedented in recent times and this has prompted numerous questions.

Chairman, Council of Legal Education, Mr. O.C.J Okocha (SAN) speaks:

 

Concerning the recorded failure rate of nearly 50%

Much as the Council of Legal Education of which I am the Chairman, and I as a person, regret the rather unfortunate rate of failures in the 2013/2014 Bar Finals Examinations, it is important to state that it is incorrect that “nearly 50% failed”.  The Council of Legal Education, through the Nigerian Law School, duly published the details of the Results of the said Examinations, which showed as follows:-

Total Number of Candidates -    5,841
1. Those who passed - 57.01%
2. Those who failed - 33.08%
 

Of this number Four (4) made First Class;
Ninety six (96) made Second Class Upper (2.1);
Six hundred and Twenty (620) made Second Class Lower (2/2);
Two thousand, Six hundred and Ten (2,610) made Pass;
Five hundred and One (501) had Conditional Pass; and
One thousand, Nine hundred and Thirty two (1,932) failed.
 

With respect to RESIT STUDENTS, there were a total of One thousand, Three hundred and Thirty Five (1,335) students.  Eighty Eight (88) passed, Twenty Six (26) had Conditional Pass, while One Thousand, One hundred and Sixty Eight (1,168) failed.

Those are the hard facts and figures.

I am unable to state what was responsible for the aforesaid unhappy results, and can only express my opinion that the students who performed poorly did not apply themselves appropriately to their engagements.  Reports reaching me indicate that most of the students did not take their studies seriously, there was indiscipline exhibited by many of them, and some were even suspended for using mobile phones and iPads to surf the internet, even when lectures and tutorials were in progress. The lecturers at the Nigerian Law School, as mandated by the Council of Legal Education, had tried their best to motivate the students to take their studies more seriously, and disciplinary measures were taken against recalcitrant students.  The lecturers are doing their best, but the students are not doing their best; they are actually doing their worst.
Concerning the pass mark; it was not moved up from 40% to 50%, as alleged by individuals. The pass mark is still 40%, as in all serious institutions of education worldwide.
We cannot compromise the existing standards. The Council considered the same Results before they were released.  As you may know, the Council has a Board of Studies, which actually considers the Results, and thereafter forwards the same to Council, which ultimately approves the release thereof.  So, the requisite and hitherto existing procedure was followed before the Results were released.