Corruption in every sense is unfortunately a tag attached to the Judiciary — Asiwaju A.S. Awomolo, SAN
The newly inaugurated Chairman, Body of Benchers (BoB), Asiwaju Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN has expressed concern that “decisions of courts no longer inspire confidence and trust.”
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria who took over from Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili (JSC, Rtd) as 52nd Chair of the august body said: “One must be honest to admit that the current public image of the Bar and Bench in this Country is not at the height that it ought to be. Members of the public no longer trust the Bench and the Bar for justice.”
He however counselled noted: “The Body, in collaboration with other bodies in the administration of justice sector, has the duty to win back public trust and confidence. In the process of administration of justice, we need to strike humble and conciliatory tone in the engagement with the members of the public. Justice, it is said is rooted in confidence.”
Asserting that: “Corruption in every sense is unfortunately a tag attached to the Judiciary,” the new BoB Chair further added: “It is no doubt uncomplimentary and embarrassing but in public opinion, it is real. It then demands that everyone of us in the discharge of our judicial functions must like Ceasar’s wife be above board.”
According to Awomolo: “Another major problem before the legal profession today is the gradual erosion of discipline and non-observance of the professional ethics contained in the code of conduct of legal practitioners.
“The practice of law today has been thoroughly afflicted with the virus of ineptitude and indiscipline. In the last 4 years, this Body has admitted annually an average of five thousand lawyers. Most of these lawyers went into the practice of the law without any opportunity of tutelage. There is need for a reform that will bring back the enviable status of the legal profession. The ongoing mentorship programme of the Body is the right initiative in this respect.
“Let me acknowledge the good works of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee which has in the last few years doubled its capacity and returns. We demand for more.”
Speaking on Constitutional reforms, he said: “There is currently efforts by the National Assembly to further alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). The draft of the Legal Practitioners Act approved by this Body has been forwarded to the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice for presentation to the National Assembly as an Executive Bill.
“This Body has a very important role to play to ensure that its views are reflected in the altered provisions of the Constitution and the Legal Practitioners Act. There was a report in the media yesterday of the proposed alteration of the Constitution which would make appointment, discipline and removal of Judicial officers in the States, the prerogative of the Governors. This move is alarming and will create a threat to the independence of the Judiciary. The Body cannot be passive or ‘siddon’ look. The danger in this move is to take the Judiciary back to pre-1999.
“I respectfully propose a Committee to put together the views of this Body for submission to the leadership of the National Assembly. I call for volunteers please.”
Expressing appreciation to his predecessor, Justice Mary Odili, he had this to say: “Her style of leadership is inclusivity and consensus decisions of most members on all matters. The Chairman involved her Vice Chairman (me)in all the decisions affecting this Body and taken at plenary.
“The Vice-Chairman was not treated “as extra-tyre” to be rolled out to fill the punctured tyre. I thank her for kindness and respect for my person and position as Vice Chairman of this Body. I join other Benchers to congratulate her for a very successful tenure as Chairman. Congratulations my noble Lord…”
Admitting that the day’s ceremony is “symbolic and an opportunity of a new call to service”, the one-time Attorney General of Osun State remarked: “The success of any Chairman of this Body is dependent upon the cooperation of all the members irrespective of status.
“The leadership of the Bar Association is very crucial and we solicit for the full cooperation of the leadership of the Bar. I came from the Bar, I gave my all to the Nigerian Bar Association at different stages of my career.”
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola is now Vice Chairman of the BoB.
