Legal practitioners told to recommit themselves to professional ethics

Lawyers in Nigeria have been told to recommit themselves to professional ethics, promote cultural values and champion access to justice as Amuwo Odofin Lawyers Forum its first anniversary in Lagos.

This advice was offered by a member of the Forum, Barriser Uche Uzochukwu, stating that the profession must be well guided to realign with Nigeria’s constitutional values and cultural heritage to effectively contribute to nation-building.

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Uzochukwu said, continuous efforts are needed to ensure the legal society is trained to uphold justice, integrity, and equity, which are daily applied to life issues.

Addressing the recent controversy surrounding the use of prosecutorial powers in Anambra State, where the Attorney General discontinued a criminal case, he said the Constitution allows the Attorney General of the Federation to apply the doctrine of ‘nolle prosecui’ by discontinuing any criminal matter.

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According to him, what happened in Anambra State falls within the legal bounds of nolle prosequi and that any moral concerns about the decision are separate from its legality.

Speaking on ethical conduct within the legal profession, he said although many lawyers remain committed to their training and professional ethics, there are still a few who operate outside the rules.

Uzochukwu emphasised that the justice system cannot tolerate such behaviour and added that justice obtained by fraud never endures.

Highlighting the achievements of the Forum, the chairman, Chris Aghaonu said the creation of a judicial division in Amuwo Odofin is a major milestone for the legal community and residents of the area.

He said that before now, people living in communities stretching from Kirikiri to Navy Town, Satellite Town, Abule Ado, Ojo, and others had to travel to Badagry, Ikeja, or Lagos Island to attend court.

He said the presence of a high court in the area will significantly reduce the burden on residents and improve access to justice.

He said the Forum has already started community legal outreach programmes, including a free legal clinic held last month, which provided assistance on landlord-tenant disputes, matrimonial issues, and other legal concerns adding that more of such initiatives would be held going forward to serve residents who cannot afford legal representation.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Forum’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Peter Adekoya, said that open access to justice is fundamental to the rule of law.

He said congested courtrooms often result in delayed justice, which ultimately amounts to a denial of justice.
Adekoya said lawyers must commit to continuous learning, adding that a lawyer who stops reading is as dangerous to society as an armed robber.

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