The people of Ilawe-Ekiti in Ekiti Southwest Council Area of Ekiti State have tackled the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over its comments faulting the establishment of six additional law school campuses.
They described the NBA’s statement as nothing but a mere expression of opinion that holds no water, saying it lacked
power to prevent the Federal Government from exercising its power to create the campuses, where the town benefited.
Speaking at an event at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, the NBA National President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, had warned against the proliferation of law school campuses, saying such could undermine the profession.
But at a news conference heralding the 10th coronation anniversary of Alawe, Oba Ajibade Alabi, yesterday, the community said it was right for the National Assembly to have considered the town worthy of having a campus of the school.
The Chairman, Anniversary Committee, Capt. Kunle Layiwola, hailed Oba Alabi, a former diplomat in South Africa and other countries representing the country, for his commitment to the development of the town
He said: “Law school issue has been thoroughly discussed. Campuses have been coming up before now. So what the NBA said was a mere academic exercise.
“It is the government that has power to establish law schools. The Senate has passed the bill creating more campuses. The House of Representatives will soon pass same. We appeared before the Senate Committee on Judiciary to defend our position and nothing has changed as we speak. It will be sited here.“
“In UK and US, there are many law school campuses. Over 5,000 students graduated as Law students and could not be enrolled in law school for lack of space. If the Senate Committee on Judiciary could find it expedient to establish more campuses, so be it.”
Layiwola said part of the events lined up for the celebration would be the launching of the N300 million banana processing industry that would bring radical development to the community.
He added that the governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, would be conferred with the honorary chieftaincy title of Akorewolu of Ilawe-Ekiti , while nine others would become honorary chiefs of the town.
Layiwola said that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana and six other prominent indigenes would be bestowed with honorary awards, for their contributions to the development of the town.