HEDA Demands Professionalism, Uprightness In Legal Practice
- Applauds NBA President for boycotting Call-to-Bar ceremony
BY EDMOND ODOK – For boycotting the recent Call-to-Bar ceremony over the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) to recuse himself on moral and ethical grounds, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) has received applauses from the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre)
HEDA, which prides itself as a Civil society organisation on anti-corruption and transparency in governance, described Maikyau’s action as standing for the truth and defending the professional integrity of the association, therefore raising concerns over the legal profession’s gradual loss of respect and prestige for which it was renowned over the years.
In a letter signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, titled; ‘Solidarity with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Boycott of the Call to Bar Ceremony’, HEDA said; “We cannot agree any less with you that the legal profession is gradually losing its respect and prestige earned over the years.
“Incidentally, respectable legal icons have worked and some are still working very hard to instill the ethical standards the profession is known for and it will be very unfortunate to lose all that pedigree and sacrifices on the altar of reckless misconduct and favouritism.”
The letter addressed to the NBA President further said; “It is noteworthy that the current stance of the NBA against the alleged immoral and unethical conduct associated with the firm of the Chairman, Body of Benchers, goes with some backlash and criticism from the so-called high and mighty in the legal profession and the society”.
According to the HEDA, the NBA and its leadership must not relent but continue pushing to uphold the professional and ethical integrity that the legal profession has always been known for over the years.
While expressing its willingness to assist the NBA in any capacity whatsoever, the Civil group said it recognises and upholds the belief that until the legal profession is morally and ethically upright; the rule of law, justice, and fairness cannot be completely validated.
