CJN, Fashola task lawyers on ethics, rule of law

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 • Mukhtar wants erring judicial officers prosecuted

ON Monday in Lagos, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar and Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola called on lawyers and all judicial workers to exhibit high level of professionalism and good conduct in the discharge of their duties.

Justice Mukhtar was quick to demand that judicial workers, who flout the ethics and codes of conduct of the profession, should be prosecuted and punished accordingly, reminding them that no one was above the law.

Both spoke at the opening of a two-day workshop organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Rule of Law Action Group at the City Hall, Lagos, with the theme, "The Rule of Law: The Bedrock for Sustainable Democracy and Development."

Mukhtar tasked judicial officers to actively participate in the establishment, maintenance and enforcement of high standard of conduct to ensure a credible judiciary.

According to her, "the public perception of the judiciary, as we are well aware, is central to its existence, especially in a democratic society as Nigeria.

"It follows, therefore, that the judiciary in a democratic society cannot remain aloof of the realities of the operating environment even if only for the pragmatic necessity to maintain its relevance in the society."

She noted that a firm stance would earn the judiciary credibility, promote justice, foster peace, contribute to societal recovery and most importantly, promote the rule of law.

The CJN further expressed displeasure at the attitude of lawyers and litigants who use petition as an alternative to appeal, stating: "What is more worrisome is that lawyers who are learned in the country's legal system have engaged themselves in that negative practice. This has led to a lot of frivolous petitions filed before the NJC.

She noted that on assumption of office, she met 139 petitions, but only 33 of them were considered worthy of defence. More so, "after my assumption of office, 198 fresh petitions were filed out of which 150 were frivolous, 15 are awaiting responses from judges while only 21 were slated for consideration."

Meanwhile, Fashola charged judicial workers to live up to the expectation of Nigerians who see the judiciary as the last hope of the common man. He said they have an enormous responsibility of speaking up against decisions by government that could have negative consequences on the wellbeing of citizens.

To that end, therefore, lawyers must not be seen as those flouting the law and plunging the nation into chaos. He said: "Our training has prepared us, like no other member of the society, to be those who help to solve the challenges facing the society.

We will be creating danger for the society if we are found creating problems for the society. The lawyers are represented in all spheres of the society.

"The judiciary will have the biggest part of the blame if it fails to fix the problems confronting this great nation, and if we are unable fix the challenges, we will be letting this profession down."

Earlier, the NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN), said the body was determined to deal with corruption and indiscipline at the Bar. He noted: "Some of our colleagues have turned themselves to conduits of all sorts, hobnobbing with clients and with respect, some judicial officers to subvert the rule of law."

He also condemned the request by the government that members of the Bar should report all transactions over $1,000 to government officials, describing it as an attempt to muzzle the Bar.



The Guardian