The controversy centres on reports that some students who had been studying Law at UNICAL were instructed to return to their previous departments. The affected students have since approached the court to challenge the decision.
In a statement issued by LAWGAN President, Kayode Bello, and Public Relations Officer, Ojo Clement, the association said the students had been admitted and treated by the university as Law students throughout their studies.
According to the association, the students paid the required fees, registered for Law courses, attended lectures and participated in examinations, with some progressing as far as 300 Level.
LAWGAN said the circumstances had raised concerns because the students were being confronted with the consequences of an institutional issue they were not responsible for creating.
The association noted that the students had made academic and financial commitments based on the university’s recognition of their admission into the Law programme.
It said any resolution of the matter should therefore take into account the years already invested by the students and the potential impact of the dispute on their academic progression.
However, LAWGAN said it would not comment on the substance of the students’ case because the dispute is currently before the court.
The association consequently urged UNICAL and relevant regulatory institutions, including the National Universities Commission (NUC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Council of Legal Education and Nigerian Law School, to engage with the matter.
It called for all available lawful options to be explored towards an equitable settlement, while stressing that any intervention should respect the ongoing judicial proceedings.
LAWGAN also urged the parties involved to place the academic future of the affected students at the centre of efforts to resolve the controversy, without compromising the regulatory standards governing legal education.
The association said it remained in solidarity with the affected students and expressed support for a peaceful and lawful resolution that would protect their academic interests and prevent the loss of years of study and financial investment.
