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Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano has urged lawyers in the state to continue to maintain high ethical standard and uphold the rule of law.
Governor Obiano stated this at the weekend during the rounding-off of the 2018 bar week of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Onitsha branch.
According him, a high standard of professional conduct is persistently expected from lawyers due to the fact that the profession is an elitist one.
Justice, honesty, compassion, respect and responsibility being the most important ones.
Representing the Governor at the occasion, the Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Uju Nwogu, commended the bar for its choice theme: “Professional Ethics and discipline of lawyers” describing same as apt considering the fast-approaching general elections in Nigeria.
The elections will precipitate legal tussles by the aggrieved politicians, thus, legal practitioners must be seen to carry out their professional duties, ethically.
“The topics chosen for the bar week are quite apt. We have not come to terms with the reformation of legal practice to meet global best practices.
“Let the synergy between the State Executive and Judiciary continue. I also thank the Chief Judge, Hon Justice Peter Umeadi for the various reforms in the Judiciary”
The keynote speaker, Mr Chike Onyemenam, SAN, in his presentation titled ‘Professional Ethics and Discipline of lawyers,’ outlined the need for lawyers to respect the rules of professional conduct to avoid having to face disciplinary measures.
Mr Onyemenam attributed the drop in ethical standards to the economic crunch in Nigeria leading to inability of government and private sector to employ young lawyers resulting in hardship.
“Unemployment in Nigeria, inability to make ends meet, together with lack of tutelage opportunities for young lawyers are in my opinion, the direct causes of the drop in ethical standards in legal profession.
“The Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) 2007 has 56 rules with the following subheads: Rules relating to practice as a legal practitioner; Relationship with clients; Relationship with other lawyers; Relationship with the Court; Relating to improper attraction of business; Remuneration & fees and Miscellaneous Rules”.
“The RPC addresses issues like insolence, disrespect to court, improper dressing, and exchanging words with counsel representing opposing party, deliberately obstructing amicable out of court settlement of pending case or dispute.
Mr Ozo Ben Erinne, Mr. Peter Afuba and Mr. Onyechi S. Ononye, the Chairman of the branch; Chairman and alternate chairman of the law week committee respectively – in their individual addresses – commended the participants for gracing the event.
Mr Erinne harped on the need for continuous training through seminars, workshops and research works, to enhance speedy justice delivery in modern times.
They, however, called on government, members of the bar and branch to embrace reforms in legal practice to meet modern trends.
Highlights of the Bar-week include Novelty football match between Premier bar and Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Onitsha, Bar Dinner/Award Night, Visitation of incapacitated lawyers, Thanksgiving service at Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha.
