Mahmoud describes 2016/2017 Legal Year as a year of ‘undiluted pleasure’
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, SAN has said that the 2016/2017 Legal Year was wrought with challenges for lawyers and judges alike.
Speaking at a special sitting of the Supreme Court to mark the beginning of the legal year 2017/18 as well as the admission of 29 distinguished members of the bar into the inner Bar, the NBA President said,
“It has been the tradition that on occasion of the opening of the legal year we take time to reflect, take stock, and chart the way forward for the coming year not only for this Court, but indeed for the legal profession and the administration of justice in general. In keeping with this tradition, I crave your indulgence to, on behalf of the Bar, make some statements, on the state of the Bar, the legal profession in general and also state of the nation.”
Taking an introspective look at the legal year gone by, Mahmoud described it by the Latin phrase Annus Horribillis – “a year in which the profession will look back with ‘undiluted displeasure!” he said.
He said “We began early in September with scathing and uncharitable description of Senior Lawyers as ‘Vultures’, followed later in October by the now infamous raid and detention of justices of Superior Courts with all the ensuing controversies, then the tardy succession into the office of the Chief Justice and more lately the rumour of an on-going criminal investigation involving the leadership of the Court.
“I have no intention of stirring or raking up any wounds. I am sure, much has been learnt from these experiences and it is to the positive side I will rather turn to.”
On the state of the bar, the NBA president noted that the wrangling that has bedeviled the bar from the inception of his administration has been mostly internal.
“Some of our branches have been mired in unnecessary leadership tussles. Some of the dramatis personae have rebuffed all efforts from our leaders to cooperate to resolve these issues. The national body was not spared. We have faced unnecessary legal challenges in courts. Including unnecessary challenge to our Constitution.
“Leadership quest is now so intense that it leaves the impression that, the quest is not about service to the profession but for something else. This is hurting our image. I am happy to report nonetheless that the Trustees of our Association have risen to the occasion and have continued to play a salutary role in counseling some of our colleagues to allow common sense to prevail.
“On my part and other elected officers of the Association, we have remained resolute and focused on delivering our mandate. We have been working hard with honesty and dedication,” the NBA president said.
“Let me conclude my remarks on the State of Bar by once more appealing to our colleagues especially those with grievances of whatever nature to sheath their swords and join me in the great work we are trying to accomplish for the Bar. At our last Annual General Meeting after the Conference, the AGM approved the appointment of a Constitution Review Committee, which has been given the task of looking into all the grievances arising from the adoption of the 2015 NBA Constitution. The committee is headed by Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN. I urge you to cooperate fully with the committee and submit your views and recommendations. Amongst the areas that the committee will looking at are: The NBA succession system. It is clear that we cannot afford to continue with the current system. We must learn from other law societies and bar associations across the world and indeed other professional bodies here in Nigeria.
“Our bar elections have become too acrimonious and expensive, involving dangerous crisscrossing the country by contestants. They have become more akin to political party campaigns and elections than of professional bodies. The system is undermining discipline in the profession. The committee will also look at the existing branch structure and make recommendations. I urge all our members to avail themselves with the current opportunity and let us work together to strengthen the NBA.
In closing, the NBA President said, “Recent pronouncements by the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, give us hope that the preceding 2016/2017 legal year which I had earlier described as our own Annus horribilis (Undiluted Displeasure) will give way to Annus mirabilis, or in simple English a ‘wonderful year’! It is our hope that this new legal year will mark a new decisive era by which the Judiciary itself takes bold and strong measures to regain the full confidence of Nigerians.”
In his remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon Justice Walter Onnoghen while
Conferring 29 legal practitioners with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) reminded them that the rank was only a privilege and can be withdrawn if abused.
“The privilege you are conferred with today is not intended as a weapon of intimidation or license for rudeness and arrogance,” the CJN said.
“It is an appointment that places both moral and professional duties on you, for which you have been found worthy to bear and discharge. As members of the Inner Bar, you now occupy positions of trust and great responsibility. Expectedly, you must imbibe every virtue of excellence, integrity, and diligence at all times. You must also remember your duties to the Courts as custodians of justice.”
Among those elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate are, Akinlolu Osinbajo, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in Ogun State and the Vice President’s brother; a former Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Prof. Adebambo Adewepo, and the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Prof. Adedeji Adekunle,
Others are, Festus Keyamo Olusola Oke, Chibuike Nwokeukwu, Johnnie Egwuonwu, Bert Igwilo, Sylvester Enema, Ikenna Egbuna, Wilcox Aberton, Michael Alliyu, Francis Egele, Nasser Dangiri, Emeka Okpoko, Sani Garun-Gabbas, Abdul Ibrahim, John Odubela, Gboyega Oyewole and Joshua Musa, Ibrahim Mohammed, Ekemejero Ohwovorile,Oyetola Oshobi, Sulaiman Usman, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, Chiesonu Okpoko and Kamaldeen Ajibade, Enefiok Essien, and Sadiq Shikyl.
Theodora Kio-Lawson