Anxieties Over The Forthcoming Judgement Between NOUN & CLE On 4th October

Four years of been barred from the Nigerian Law school by the CLE has done a great harm to the innocent law graduates, their sponsors, associates and the nation at large. The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and as such should be respected and allowed to exercise its inherent role without prejudicial comments for matters pending before it, but regrettably, the judge who stalled the judgement fixed by him on the 27th January for no obvious reason has tempted some concerned persons and I to appeal that history should not be repeated come 4th October. It is a known fact that the court is not moved by sentiments and emotions but by merits of the case. It is also a known fact that the court is a temple of justice and equity came to mitigate against the rigors of the common law (strict rules) as stood by CLE on grounds of procedural defects. Traditionally, if my father gave me 15 strokes of the cane for a simple offence and l run to the council of elders for succour, it will amount to injustice for the later to further give me additional strokes of the cane as a continuous punishment. In a comparative analysis, the innocent NOUN law graduates have suffered so much discrimination and pains and now at the mercy of the judiciary for redress with the optimism that their long suffering should not continue. Without prejudice, this case will be a great test of the judiciary as both the Executive and the Legislative arm have constitutionally backed the NOUN law graduates through the recent amendment and submissions earlier made by the AGF and the NUC in the court. Following the consensus reached by the duo, the Judiciary becomes the remaining arm of the government to complete the entire process based on the merits of the case. Procedural defects as contended by CLE cannot be taken for illegality. What matters is to make corrections to give room for continuous improvement in line with ISO 9001 policy. The Judiciary as an obiter and interpreter of the constitution should stand to protect the rights of Nigerians as contained in the CFRN 1999 section 18 (1) Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels. Gibson Ogbeiniama Writes From Otukpo, Benue State. ]]>