NBA President Tasked Lawyers on Professionalism
Paul Usoro SAN – NBA President & T.T Igba Esq – 3rd National Vice President
Deborah Adekaa, Raphael Mbaiorga, Erdoo Due, Denen Daniel.
The National President of the Nigerian Bar Association Paul Usoro SAN has called on members of the Bar to keep to integrity and decorum the law profession is known for. The President was represented by a 3rd National Vice President T.T Igba Esq, at an oversight visit to the Ashby House Secretariat of the Makurdi Branch of the Association in Benue State.
The President said he was proud of what had seen so far, especially as regards the quality and quantity of facilities that are on ground in Makurdi branch. The achievements he said are obvious while he commended the efforts of the J.K Ishember led EXCO. Particularly, the President said the branch is not yet where it should be, but the improvements so far are indications that with time, they will also be where other branches even as he sees more room for improvement.
On young lawyers, the President also the current administration at the national level “has been tremendously helpful in assisting the young lawyers in hosting of meetings and seminars where they are retrained on the ethics of the profession and their responsibilities as members of the NBA. As I speak to you, I’m a member of a Welfare Committee put in place by the national body to raise funds for the young lawyers as palliative in these times of COVID 19, especially as the court are barely functioning. The intention is to ensure the young lawyers benefit maximally in the welfare packages. There are also other packages the young lawyers stand chances to benefit.”
He however frowned at the attitudes of some young lawyers. In his words “I must say with emphasis that it is just a very few young lawyers who are living up to expectations. Just a few of them are willing to undergo the needed apprenticeship. You hear of young lawyers who are barely two years on the bar and seek to have their own law firm. This impatient span to include their attitudes towards meetings; they hardly attend meetings and like I will always say, the NBA is an association where the young lawyers can learn. It is an association where they can channel their questions and grievances whenever there is any. But when they do not attend meetings, how would they learn the ropes of the profession and the association? The young lawyers need encouragement atimes and the NBA will not relent in making sure they are deeply involved in the affairs of the association.”
Also speaking on the forthcoming election, the NBA President said free and fair elections have remained the pride of NBA, Makurdi branch. He was particular that “when you take stock of other branches concerning elections, you will agree with me that election matter has nothing to be worried about as far as the NBA, Makurdi branch is concerned. In some branches, elections are always marred with serious allegations and counter allegations which most time prompt pre and post election disputes. Despite all these achievements in elections, I still want to appeal to whole and lots of voters and contenders to maintain the election status quo of the branch. Elections are not war fronts; they are legal opportunities for choosing people who will represent our aspirations and lead our course. My candid advice to all eligible voters and contenders is to eschew partisan politics. Makurdi branch of the NBA needs people of unimpeachable status at the helm of affairs who can direct the branch in the right direction. They shouldn’t be leaders who will be out to seek sentimental factors in their administration. Once again, I call for a credible, free, fair and transparent election.” He however called on the incoming officials to do the needful; to take the branch to the next level.
The learned gentleman also spoke on the rule of law in the Nigerian nation. He said NBA at all levels is doing well to promote the rule of law: “the NBA insists that the Rule of Law is prevalent. In any society of our kind, the Rule of Law is insuppressibly. The NBA has maintained a continuous call on the members of the public to bring forth their complaints whenever and wherever they see or feel the position of the Rule of Law is being threatened. The NBA is supposed to be a voice for the voiceless and it is a responsibility we will never give up.”
He however, raised some challenges faced by NBA in this regard: “one of the greatest challenges we have as lawyers in this part of the world is everything comes up as a gossip. There are thousands of cases in the court where lawyers are challenging the deeds of some of the government institutions. People are afraid to say boldly what they see; they lack specifications when it comes to reporting some of these injustices. You cannot go to court to challenge what Mr. A says he heard Mr. B says he heard from another party. We always advise members of the public to be courageous and objective. NBA is a human right association. The association is ever willing to take up wherever the individual is handicapped.”
Speaking further on the dreaded pandemic, the President aligned his thoughts that COVID19 is now a global health concern and that from the President to State governors, everyone is intensifying efforts to see how the virus will be contained pending when a vaccine is available. Amid the uncertainties, he said “I want to expertly say that the best way for all of us is to obey law and order. The rules and measures outlined by the NCDC and WHO must be treated as laws. Wearing of face masks, regular washing of hands, social and physical distancing, obedience to curfew rules must be duly followed.”
The President also called on lawyers, especially the younger ones to think in the direction of diversifying as he said there is no rigid law which says a lawyer must not do any other business than going and coming from the court: “The ethical demand is that a lawyer shouldn’t entangle themselves with other business in a way that such business will stand in the way of their profession. There are so many lawyers out there who have completely abandoned the profession but that is a different story altogether. Should a lawyer wish to continue with his practice, they must be moderate on their choice of business so as not to mess with their profession.”
He further made a case that the legal profession is a noble one. The problem is many come in unprepared and seem to be sway by winds: “I want to say without fear of contradiction that the way and manner some lawyers exhibit themselves to public, speak low of the profession; manner of dress, choice of words and so many other unethical behaviours. Another is the manner some lawyers argue in public places. They always want to prove a point as if they are in the courtroom. A lawyer’s voice is always supposed to be low but persuasive. He is a gentleman with admirable characters. Those who are going against the ethics of the profession must make a quick recourse to the ethics to avert future condemnation of the profession.”
Lastly, speaking on the role of the media in national development, the President said “let me begin by thanking the Transmitter media. I have been following keenly the activities of THE TRANSMITTER and I must submit here that the paper has been more impressive than it was thought. The problem of balanced reportage is perennial. Money has replaced all what was thought about the media. The Brown envelop journalism is easier practice today than ever before. But this doesn’t mean others are not trying, especially the Transmitter which is doing us proud. For a return to the normal, there must a total overhauling of the media world. Efforts must be doubled in training and restraining of media practitioners. With the advent of the social media, the media landscape is now largely dominated with unverified information and it is not healthy for the media. We hardly can have it 100% but there should be improvement.”
