Charles Ajiboye says “we need lawyers with conscience and a sense of responsibility”
He said this while making a presentation at the just concluded Law Week of the NBA Kano on the Topic: Lawyers in the Nigerian Economy: Opportunities and Roles in Relation to Nationhood, Democracy and Rule of Law.
The Panel was Chaired by a Former President of the NBA, AB Mahmoud,SAN and had Steve Adehi,SAN and Chukwuka Ikwuazom also on the Panel among others.
Charles who represented the Learned Senior Advocate said “We are the elites and nobles with several advantages. We draft the law, we improve it in the Court, the Judges are chosen from among us, we are the Advocates, we enforce the law when we get judgements. So much depends on us. But the truth is that life does not bestow advantages on us for ourselves.
We are given to give. Lifted to lift. Increased to increase. And that is why I have wholly adopted a quote by Sapara Williams(he his the first indigenous Nigerian Lawyer called to the English bar on 17 November 1879. He played an influential role in the politics of Nigeria during the colonial era.) He said and I quote
“A lawyer exists for the good of his people and the advancement of their cause”
This is what I believe to be our Role in the Nigerian Economy; to be a Lawyer with Conscience and Sense of Responsibility.
We have deliberately denied ourselves of the best of opportunities to advance democracy and make it big due to the penchant of bad ones amongst us that have no regard for our ethics and core values as lawyers.
Most lawyers pollute the stream of justice and block ways for the advancement of others. We become our greatest enemies. We have allowed darkness to overshadow the light in us as professionals. The results are glaring for all to see.
We create road blocks for attaining justice. These has retarded political and democratic development in our land.
A lawyer that feels the pains of his clients and works hard to relieve him and not manipulate him as many do.
A lawyer that places the interest of the Nation above self and individual gain
A lawyer that is bold enough to speak truth to wealth and power and not bow to his greed and hunger.
A lawyer that is responsible enough not to file frivolous applications to frustrate and embarrass our judicial system.
A lawyer that is diligent enough to study, collaborate and work hard to deliver results to the nation and his clients and not only concerned about his pay
A lawyer that is truly with Conscience, and a deep sense of responsibility.
If we do what we are trained to do, the way we ought to, Nigeria will be better.”
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