A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FACULTY OF LAW
The process of establishing a Faculty of Law in Ajayi Crowther University was commenced and completed with tenacity and doggedness by Rev. Cannon Professor K T. Jaiyeoba during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor. The Law programme has continued to wax stronger in advancement and development under the current dynamic leadership of Rt. Rev’d. Professor Dapo E Asaju, Vice Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University.
The Law degree programme commenced at its temporary site during the 2014/2015 academic session of the university having obtained the requisite Resource verification and approval of the National University Commission (NUC) in July 2014. The Council of Legal Education, a fundamental regulatory body for law professionals visited the faculty in December 2015 and has also approved the commencement of the Law programme.
Professor Olusoga Olopade, who played a pivotal role as a consultant in the establishment of the Faculty, was subsequently appointed as the pioneer Dean assisted by a dedicated group of competent staff. In December 2015, Professor Andrew Borokini was appointed as Dean and at the expiration of his tenure in 2016, was succeeded by the incumbent Dean, Professor Alero Akeredolu.
The Law programme at Ajayi Crowther University was established against the background that all human activities are generally conducted within a legal framework and in recognition of the importance oflaw to every civilized society. Specifically, the objectives of the ACU law programme include to produce Law graduates who are adequately equipped to proceed to further studies as a way of ensuring sustained academic pursuits’; to deepen the academic study of Law as a discipline and to make legal education available to persons such as law enforcement officers, politicians, custom and immigration officers etc, who will need knowledge of law in their professions.
The Faculty of Law remained located in the temporary building for two academic sessions, until the new Faculty of Law building donated by a philanthropist from the Anglican Communion, the Alakija family in Lagos was commissioned on 26th January, 2016 by Most. Revd. Dr. Nicholas D. Okoh, the Primate Archbishop and Metropolitan Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at a most successful ceremony on the campus.
The Faculty comprises two departments namely: Department of Private and Business Law and the Department of Public and International Law. The Faculty has also commenced the publication of its Law journal known as ‘Ajayi Crowther University Law Joumal; and is currently in its second edition. The journal is peer reviewed and currently hosted and published on the website of the university. It is an open access journal. The link is https://www.acu.edu.ng/index.php/acu-journals or https://aculj.acu.edu.ng
The Faculty has been involved in” the advancement of legal education through public lectures, seminar and interactive sessions organized for the development of staff, students and the entire University community. Some of these include:
- The International Committee of the Red Cross, Nigeria 8th November, 2016 workshop to sensitize staff and students on International Humanitarian Law and the work of the Red cross worldwide .
- On January 31, 2017, H.E. Professor O. Osunbor, former Governor of Edo State was a Guest Lecturer in an interactive session with the University community on Contemporary Constitutional law issues
- The Faculty, on 25th April, 2017, held the maiden edition of its Faculty Public Lecture titled ‘Criminal Adjudication and the Challenge of Justice,’ which was delivered by an eminent Jurist, Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria under the Chairmanship of Araakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu,SAN, Governor of Ondo State which attracted the leading names in the legal profession and Ajayi Crowther University community.
As the Faculty progresses into its fourth academic session, it remains active and committed to pursue its original aims and objectives with vigour and determination for the advancement of legal education and nurturing of its students to achieve their God-ordained heights.
PHILOSOPHY OF THE LL.B DEGREE PROGRAMME
- To introduce students to law, equip them with various principles of judicial process and legal developments, and equip them with the basic tools that are necessary for legal analysis cum legal method
- To ensure that graduates in law have a good general knowledge of law, including a clear understanding of the role of law and the importance that it plays in the society
- To ensure that students have a broad general knowledge in and exposure to other disciplines in the process of acquiring legal
education since human activities namely social, economic, political are inextricably interwoven with the law.
OBJECTIVES
- To produce Law graduates who are equipped and eligible to use law as a tool for the resolution of various social, economic and political conflicts In the society.
- To equip law student with the knowledge and skills which qualify them for further studies as i- way of ensuring sustained academic
- To make legal education available to persons such as law enforcement officers, politicians, customs and immigration officers etc. who will need knowledge of law in their professions;
- To let other academic departments of the university have knowledge oflaw and add Law as combination subject/course for combined honours degrees such as Politics & Law, Business & Law, and Diplomacy & Law etc
To qualify for admission to study law in Ajayi Crowther University, a candidate must possess either of the following qualifications:
Course/Programmes | Direct Entry Requirements | O’Level Requirements | UTME Subiects |
LL.B. (Hons.) | * At least two A-Level passes | English Language, Literature | English Language, |
with credit in English Language, | in English and any other three Subjects | Literature in English, | |
Literature in English at O’Level or, a University degree with a | at one sitting or English Language, Literature in English and any other | and any other two subjects | |
minimum of Second Class Lower in any discipline. | three ‘relevant subjects at not more than two sittings NECO,WAEC. | ||
*Diploma in Law, not lower than Lower credit from a recognized institution. |
In addition to the above, successful performance in screening interview may be required to assess candidate’s communication skills.
DURATION OF THE LL.B DEGREE PROGRAMME
The LL.B programme is a 5-year standard programme for students with S.S.S. Certificate, G.C.E.’O’ Level or their equivalents. However; Direct Entry candidates will be permitted to join in year two of the programme.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
A student shall qualify for the award of a Law degree when the student has completed and passed all the Courses he registered for, including all compulsory courses and such elective/optional courses as may be specified by the university/faculty. Furthermore, he must obtained a minimum CGPA specified by the University but not less than 2.0.
CLASSIFICATION OF DEGREE
The Degree Classification for under-graduate law programme shall be as contained in the table below:
Degree Class | CGPA |
First class | 4.50-5.00 |
Second class (upper) | 3.50-4.49 |
Second class (lower) | 2.40-3.49 |
Third class | 1.50-2.39 |
Fail | Less than 1.50 |
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The Faculty of Law’s Fee Schedule for the 2023/2024 Academic Session is given below:
Click the Journal icon below to access the ACU Law or visit: https://aculj.acu.edu.ng