Idigbe, SAN appointed Chairman of Review Committee
Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN, Senior Partner, Punuka Solicitors has been appointed the Chairman of the newly constituted Legal Profession Regulation Review Committee (LPRRC).
The committee was set up by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud to address challenges that have arisen with the fallen standards of legal education and legal practice.
In a statement issued by the General Secretary of the association, Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, dated January 7, 2017, the NBA noted with concern falling standards of legal education and practice and the need for urgent and immediate action to address the situation.
It is against this backdrop that the committee was set up to amongst other things, review the current regulatory objectives and the regulatory architecture of the legal profession and advise on its suitability to meet the current requirements for a robust, responsive and independent modern legal profession in Nigeria;
It will also determine whether the Nigerian Bar Association should retain both its regulatory and representative functions in the legal profession and if so, what necessary measures should be put in place to strengthen these roles and ensure that neither is compromised.
In particular, to review the role of the Body of Benchers, the General Council of the Bar, the Council for Legal Education, the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the Nigerian Bar Association in the regulation of the legal profession and determine if the roles being played by these institutions and organs are appropriate to meet the needs of a robust and modern and independent legal profession in Nigeria,” the statement read. The committee will further determine, given the current composition of the Body of Benchers, if its role should not be formal and ceremonial limited to formal call to bar and formal disbarment of members of the legal profession, whilst ceding the more rigorous duty of regulation to the more appropriate organs either of the NBA or the General Council of the Bar or any desirable agency.
Other references include, obtaining the proposed bills for review of the Legal Practitioners Act pending at the National Assembly and review same in the light of the recommendations arising from the work of the committee envisaged in these TOR; reviewing the current standards for admission into the Nigerian Bar and recommend changes. In particular determine whether the current threshold of 40% as pass mark for bar examinations at the Nigerian Law School is realistic and determine how such thresholds compare with entry requirements into the legal professions across Africa and the rest of the world and make appropriate recommendations.
It will examine given the current size of the legal profession, its exponential growth in recent years relative to the needs of the Nigerian economy, the desirability of candidates seeking admission to the law faculties in Nigeria to possess a degree in another discipline as a condition for admission;
Review the ethical requirements for admission into the legal profession and determine the adequacy of such requirements and how best to maintain high ethical and professional standards in the legal profession;
Determine if aside from admission to the bar there should be a separate requirement for licensing law offices and advise how best to regulate and monitor such licensing;
Advise on the need to introduce a system of pupilage into the legal profession and advise on the duration and how best to administer such a system of pupilage; and make any appropriate recommendations the Task Force deems necessary or to achieve the objective of strengthening the legal profession in Nigeria.
Other Members of Legal Profession Regulation Review Committee are, Dr Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN –Member; Funke Adekoya, SAN –Member; Prof. Auwalu Yadudu –Member; Bisi Shoyebo, SAN –Member; Chief Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN –Member; Prof Ernest Ojukwu,SAN –Member; Olanrewaju Onadeko,SAN –Member; Dr. Mike Adeleke –Member; Prof Ikpeze Ogugua –Member; Dr Aminu Gamawa –Secretary; Prof Dakas C.J Dakas, SAN –Member; Prof Augustine Agom –Member; Paul Usoro, SAN –Member; Prof Taiwo Osipitan, SAN –Member; Yakubu Maikyau,SAN –Member; Prof Osita Ogbu –Member; Prof U.U Chuckwuema-Eze –Member; Rotimi Odusola –Member; Patricia Igwebuike Esq –Member Prof. M. L. Ahmadu –Member; Sade Aladeniyi and Eric Otojahi as Assistant Secretary
The Committee is expected to submit its report on or before the 30th Day of April 2017.
The NBA enjoined all legal practitioners in Nigeria to cooperate with the committee in achieving all the above stated mandates, while urging members of the committee to bring their wealth of experience to bear on the assignment.
THEODORA KIO-LAWSON