‘NBA Must Clamp Down On Lawyers Who Discredit Judiciary’
Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, Olabisi Makanjuola, has urged the association to clamp down on lawyers who discredit the justice system.
This, he said, would safeguard the sanctity of the courts. He said lawyers have a duty to protect the system rather than denigrating it when cases go against their clients.
Makanjuola also said professional points should be deducted from lawyers who file frivolous cases that contribute to delays and heavy workload, especially at the Supreme Court.
He spoke at a briefing on the branch’s forthcoming dinner to be held on Friday December 15 at the Queens Park Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Makanjuola, a partner at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, said the theme is: “Creating a favourable environment for business and investment in Nigeria through legal policies and reforms.”
The keynote speaker is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Adekunle Sonola. Makanjuola said the theme was chosen in recognition of the need to create a favourable environment for businesses and investments to thrive.
The chairman said: “Legal policies and reforms are key to economic development.
“So, we decided to bring the Managing Director of one of our finest banks in Nigeria to share experience with us on how businesses can stay afloat in a challenging economy.”
Makanjuola said the dinner, which will be free to members, is fully sponsored through funds raised by the planning committee, headed by Mr. Adeleke Alex-Adedipe, who is the Managing Partner at Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (DOA). He said the dinner was made free for the first time in fulfilment of part of his campaign promises.
“The yearly law dinner is rooted in the finest traditions of the legal profession. It is expected to bring together legal practitioners, judges and industry helmsmen to network, celebrate and enjoy.
“Lawyers work a lot, and they deserve to play and rest after a good year of working hard. This year’s dinner will be free of charge to all our members.
“However, interested members are required to have registered via the portal of the branch.
“The requirement to attend this dinner is that you must have paid your branch dues as of March 31. For colleagues who have not paid branch dues, we’re so sorry, you will not be able to attend.” He said non-members can attend by paying a token of N20,000, adding that limited spaces are available.
Speaking on the workload of judges, Makanjuola said cases filed in court should be filtered before being assigned. He believes that trivial matters should not be found in court.
Dinner committee chairman Alex-Adedipe added that the guest speaker will speak on banking sector transformation and the role of the legal profession in the economy. This, he said, would be done in a convivial atmosphere that provides opportunity to relax and network.
