The General Legal Council in November last year set up a committee to investigate the applicant -in-waiting to be called to the bar after complaint of misconduct circulated in videos that showed the candidate engaging in conduct unbecoming of a legal practitioner.
The Council resolved to permit her to fill appropriate forms for application to be called to Bar in October/November 2023 this year after considering the report, citing observation and monitoring of her activities before considering her application.
In a surprising turn of events, the General Legal Council in a statement noted that it has declined the application of Ama Governor to be called to the Bar, with the ceremony on Friday, October 20, 2023.
According to the council her fate was decided at a meeting on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, after consideration of her public conduct leading up to the application.
There’s been public outcry especially on social media as the General Legal Council’s decision comes as a shock to many in the legal community. The development has sparked discussions among legal experts and the public about the criteria and considerations that determine one’s eligibility to be called to the Bar.
According to a letter dated october 18th, 2023 in line with March 13th,2023 letter from the General Legal Council to Elorm, the council had been closely monitoring her conduct in the lead-up to her application. This scrutiny of her public behaviour played a significant role in the council’s ultimate decision.
While the specific details of the council’s concerns have not been disclosed, it is clear that Ama governor’s actions and statements in the public domain were deemed problematic enough to warrant the rejection of her application to join the bar.
On future considerations for Ama Governor to apply to join the bar the council decided that It was decided that she may reapply to be called to the Bar anytime there is a scheduled enrolment ceremony after the 20 October 2023 enrolment ceremony. It also added that her conduct will remain under scrutiny by the Council.
The decision by the General Legal Council has ignited debates about the balance between an individual’s freedom of expression and the ethical standards expected of legal practitioners.
Meanwhile Ama Governor in a video on the #occupyjulorbihouse protest stated that she was been called to the bar this month after all claims raised against her not legal to join the bar failed and that her sexuality was in no way needed in her call to the bar.
