- Says amendment of Legal Practitioners’Act will decongest LPDC dockets
- Chief Awomolo, SAN takes over as Chair Body of Benchers, CJN as Deputy
The immediate past Chair of the Body of Benchers (BoB), Hon. Justice Mary Peter Odili, (JSC, Rtd.) has urged that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) consider having some its meeting outside the Federal Capital Territory to make proximity easier for the parties involved.
Speaking at the send-off ceremony marking the end of her tenure as BoB Chairperson, Justice Odili said: “The Body should consider in the future the possibility of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee having some of its sittings conducted outside the Federal Capital Territory. This will give Petitioners and Respondents. across the country proximity. The Body should collaborate with either the Court of Appeal, State High Courts, Federal High Court or the National Industrial Court of Nigeria to use their facilities in this regard.”
She also expressed optimism that with the Legal Practitioners Act about to be amended, the difficulties encountered by the LPDC particularly in the area of decongestion of its dockets will be in the past.
“I am optimistic that when the Legal Practitioners Act is amended, the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee will have more panels which will enable it decongest its docket. The issue of quorum will also be addressed since the proposal is to have a panel made up (3) members as against Five (5) which is currently obtainable.”
Justice Odili added: “Amajor milestone has been achieved in relation to the amendment process, having reached out to major stakeholders and the Bill transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment. I commend the leadership of the National Assembly especially the Chairmen of the Committees on Judiciary for their understanding and carrying the Body of Benchers along with other stakeholders in the amendment process. I hope the proposed bill will be passed into law in no distant time.”
On the success of the Body’s mentoring program for young Lawyers, Her Lordship had this to say:
“I am elated to note the successful completion of the maiden edition of the Body of Benchers Mentoring Program for all young lawyers (0-7 years post call). The Mentoring Program which concluded on the 15th of December, 2023 with a total number of three hundred and ninety-six (396) Mentees was a success story and I look forward to an improved experience going forward.
“1 urge all members of the Body of Benchers to actively participate as Mentors in this laudable program aimed at repositioning the Law Profession in the right direction. In this vein, I commend the Chairman of the Committee, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, OFR, SAN.”
Justice Mary Odili at the close of the ceremony passed the baton of leadership to Ashiwaju A.S. Awomolo, SAN.
Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola is Vice-Chair of the prestigious body.
