Law School withdraws ethics prize from graduate over ‘inappropriate’ photo

The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has withdrawn the prize awarded to the best graduating student in Professional Ethics at the Nigerian Law School following the circulation of an “inappropriate” photograph online.

The council also approved sanctions against two students found culpable of indiscipline-related misconduct.

The Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration, Aderonke Osho, disclosed this in a statement dated August 19, 2026.

Osho said the decision to withdraw the prize followed the council’s consideration of the circumstances surrounding the award and a photograph of the recipient circulated online.

According to her, the attire worn by the recipient in the photograph was considered inconsistent with professional standards and decorum.

“The council considered the circumstances surrounding the award of the prize for the best graduating student in professional ethics and approved the withdrawal of the prize from the recipient, arising from the circulation of a photograph online depicting the recipient in attire considered inconsistent with the professional standards and decorum,” Osho said.

The council did not name the recipient or specify the graduating set in its statement.

However, reports identified Ogechi C. Ifezie as the first-prize winner in Professional Ethics at the 2026 Nigerian Law School graduation.

Ifezie, a student of the Lagos Campus who studied at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was among the students honoured during the 2026 Call to Bar ceremonies held from July 7 to 10 at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja.

The council said the sanctions against the two other students were imposed following findings of indiscipline-related misconduct.

It reiterated its responsibility to uphold discipline and professional standards among students of the Nigerian Law School.

The Nigerian Law School’s Professional Ethics course forms part of the Bar Part II programme, which prepares law graduates for legal practice.

The 2026 graduating class was recognised for outstanding performance across core professional courses, including Civil Litigation, Criminal Litigation, Corporate Law, Property Law and Professional Ethics.

Ogechi C. Ifezie was listed as the Professional Ethics course leader and first-prize winner.