A renowned legal practitioner, Chief Duro Adeyele (SAN), on Wednesday expressed concern over the 'dwindling" observance of professional ethics, and conducts by some lawyers.
Adeyele, who appeared for a matter before Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi of an Abuja High Court, expressed disgust when four lawyers dragged some chairs beside him and sat in the front row in the court.
"My Lord, before we go on with the schedule of cases, I will like the court to take note of these young lawyers sitting in the same row with me.
"It is common practice in courts to give respect to a SAN, who is already seated in the front row by lawyers by not sitting near any of their seniors.
"I arrived here around 8.40a.m. and got myself a seat in the front row. These young colleagues of mine strolled in around 9a.m or thereabout and sat on the same row with me.
"They did not have the courtesy to take permission from me to join me in the front row. The front row in the court is reserved for senior ranking members of the bar," Adeyele said.
He also said lawyers, as guardians of the law, play a vital role in the preservation of respect for the court, seniors, and keeping to professional ethics, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
He urged Justice Oniyangi to order the young lawyers out of the front row to the back seat.
Responding, Oniyangi ordered the four lawyers to move two rows away behind the SAN.
He reminded the lawyers and about 39 students of the Nigerian Law School, who are on court attachments, to ensure that they maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct.
The Punch