The Nigerian Law School  on Tuesday called to bar 1,550 candidates who were successful in the April 2018 Bar final examination and 12 others from previous bar  final examinations.

The Director- General of the school, Prof. Isa Ciroma, said at the July Call to Bar ceremony for the successful candidates in Abuja that the success rate was 68.6 per cent. This means that about 700 candidates failed the exam.

The summary of the examination result showed that two candidates passed  in second class lower division while others had ordinary pass. There was no First Class or Second Class Upper division score.

Ciroma said the performance was justified by the approval of the Council of Legal Education that re-sit students for the Final Bar Examination must undertake two months revision to be eligible to write the examination.

He said the candidates took the prescribed examination as well as the dining terms and met all required conditions set by the Council.

“I am happy to affirm that they all exhibited good manners and decorum during their training.

“They have also been groomed in the best ethics and ethos of our noble profession,” he said.

The director-general said staff of the school closely monitored the aspiring lawyers during their training,  perused their records and found them worthy to be called to the Bar.

He congratulated the new wigs and urged them to make the best use of the profession and to ensure strict adherence to the norms of practice and ethics.

Also, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, called on the graduates to shun all  vices capable of denting the image of the legal profession.

Dalhatu also advised them to always speak the truth, even if it might sound bitter, instead of concealing it which might lead to an offence.

He also admonished the graduates to abide by the rules and provisions of the profession as law was sacrosanct and required strict adherence at all times.

“Where a complaint is made against any practitioner’s conduct, an alleged offence is put side by side with the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct, once established, the defaulter is sanctioned accordingly by the disciplinary committee.

“The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee has been carrying out its mandate in a just and fair manner without giving room for compromise, affection or ill-will.

“From January to July 2018, seven lawyers were barred, 12 suspended, ranging from one year to three years while one lawyer was admonished.

“You are, therefore, advised to be of good behaviour and abide by the ethics and traditions of the profession to avoid being brought before the committee,” he advised.