A law professor, Benedicta Daudu, who was caught cheating in an examination at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and later suspended by the university, has failed to make the final list of recipients of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank for 2023.
Last month, The Legal Practitioners and Privileges Committee (LPPC), shortlisted Ms Daudu’s name alongside 68 other lawyers for the prestigious SAN rank.
However, Ms Daudu’s name was missing from the list of 58 SAN designates who made the final list released on Thursday.
It could not be ascertained if Ms Daudu’s failure to make the list had anything to do with her exam malpractice past.
Many Nigerians criticised the shortlist due to the appearance of Ms Daudu’s name on it.
“The meeting further considered four (4) different petitions written against some of the applicants and determined that each of the petitions lacked merit and thus dismissed.”
However, the committee did not disclose whether Ms Daudu was one of the applicants whom the petitioners challenged their suitability. It did not also disclose the name of any person whose suitability was challenged in the petitions.
The rank is reserved for Nigerian lawyers who have distinguished themselves in legal practice, either in the advocacy or academic lines.
Announcing the final outcome of the selection process on Thursday, the LPPC chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, said in its statement that all four petitions it received concerning the unsuitability of shortlisted candidates were dismissed.
