Nigerians fume as judiciary promotes law professor sacked for exam malpractice, gross misconduct as new senior advocate

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has confirmed Benedicta Lopez Daudu as a new senior advocate despite earning a pink slip and general infamy for allegedly smuggling unauthorized material into an examination hall few years ago.

According to an official, Benedicta Lopez Daudu while taking an exam as part of her master’s degree programme at the University of Jos was caught cheating by school administrators in 2016.

She was immediately suspended for two semesters and shelved indefinitely as staff member of the school’s department of international law and jurisprudence.

However, on Thursday, September 14, Ms Daudu was listed among 70 new lawyers confirmed as senior advocates of Nigeria by the LPPC, a body under the Supreme Court.

Also listed as new senior lawyers include; Funmi Falana, wife of prominent rights advocate Femi Falana; Abuja-based attorney Kayode Ajulo; Folashade Alli, said to be the daughter of Afe Babalola.

Saharareporters in a publication, said Ms Daudu could not be reached for comments on Thursday night and efforts to speak to the spokesman of the Supreme Court proved futile.

As a result of Ms Daudu’s past controversy, several Nigerians on social media have expressed worry over her new elevation.

@firstnameejike: "Now she’s among about 70 new lawyers confirmed as senior advocates of Nigeria on Thursday by the LPPC, a body under the Supreme Court. She made it under the academic category of the distinction, which lawyers widely seek as it is understood to confer extra privileges of some sort in the profession."

@legend_082: Tomorrow she will become a Supreme Court judge and preside over electoral cases

@esshman: The judiciary makes a mockery of itself

@DeanOfBoiz: Tomorrow the promotion will be used to force him into doing wrong deeds

@kuwait_magix: Crime is legitimized. Being upright is questionable now

@ClevaMaverick: The judiciary is now a cashout place.

@iamStankovicss: THE WAY I USE TO LOOK AT PEOPLE STUDYING LAW IN NIGERIA NOW EHHHH, E JUST BE LIKE SAY DEM DEY GO WASTE TIME AND MONEY FOR CLASS.

@Oluchima1: After PEPT judgement, I'm not surprised anyway

@Lamsytach: Serious mess in the Nigeria justice system.

@KenUttih: As expected. The we stop promoting malpractices and illegalities is the day we begin to take the development of our country serious. With the current practices, we’re not ready yet, not these lots leading the government and the institutions.

@Berlinxm: If they keep on rewarding the bad people, they should be ready for what might befall the nation. Once people realize that the nation only rewards bad individuals, it will undoubtedly become a significant problem. Correcting it later when it's too late will be challenging.

@Duke_of_Omuma: Nigeria is systematically corrupt... Down to the teeth!

@Irunnia_: The Nigerian judiciary was once the most respected institution ever. It’s a shame to see what they’ve become

@Davidweizide: What else will Nigeria be known for? A country ruled by a drug Baron, senior advocate with alleged examination malpractice? What's really Nigeria problem