Latest News

NBA finds SAN, six lawyers guilty of influencing judges to give conflicting orders

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said it has identified seven lawyers, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) that influenced judges to issue conflicting court orders, especially on political matters.

The seven lawyers, according to the President of the NBA, Mr Olumide Apata, were found culpable by the investigation committee set up by the association.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, Apata said the indicted lawyers would be charged before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for judicial misconduct.

He said: “Some lawyers have been identified to have played roles in conflicting decisions that emanated from different courts recently. They are seven in number, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“We are in the process of filing a petition against them before the LPDC. This is based on our determination to ensure that the system is protected, irrespective of those involved,” Apata added.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

The LPDC is the body recognised by law to take disciplinary action against lawyers accused of professional misconduct, while the NBA which is the umbrella body of lawyers in the country serves as the prosecution in any trial before its panel.

It will be recalled that the National Judicial Council (NJC) had earlier barred three high court judges from getting promotion for periods ranging from two to five years after it found them guilty of issuing conflicting ex-parte orders.

The NJC headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad said the three judges were investigated even though there was no written petition, allegations of corruption or impropriety against them.

With the NBA’s 2022 Justice Sector Summit scheduled for Tuesday, the association called for a review of the process for the appointment of judges, maintaining that the extant process for selection of those to be appointed as judicial officers, is flawed.

“The NBA believes that there is something not right about the way we appoint judges. The process is not rigorous or robust enough. We cannot expect such process to be beneficial to the Judiciary.

“We have sent our recommendation to the NJC regarding how we think that the process should be structured to become better and more efficient. The process needs to be standardized. While some states subject candidates to examinations, others don’t.

“We have passed the era when someone will sit down in the comfort of his chamber and decide who should be appointed as a judge. There must be a clearly defined process of selecting those that should be appointed as judges.

“This is why the issue of judicial appointment is one of the things that will be discussed at the summit,” Apata stated.

 

‘Officials initially offered to help but when the number of able-bodied citizens at the centre increased, they left us unattended to’

| influencing judges to give conflicting orders | influencing judges to give conflicting orders

Sunday Ejike

Recent Posts

Baale of Oluyole Estate, Chief Yemi Ogunyemi is dead

Ogunyemi, a promoter of Yoruba culture, until his death was a prominent member of Council…

2 minutes ago

Nigerians seeking to relocate to US can without job offer — Expert

The US is actively welcoming skilled professionals who can make long-term contributions, and this workshop…

17 minutes ago

OFFCUT: ‘Face your allegations, leave us alone,’ — Netizens slam Akpabio over hardship comment

Fraudulent election is there and many more. Leave Nigerians alone”, Adedipe Oluwatosin wrote. 

42 minutes ago

Raining season: Anambra LG commences clearing, desilting of drainages

The Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State has commenced the clearing and desilting…

49 minutes ago

Gombe: Uphold discipline, integrity, AIG Aliyu urges Police officers

The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 12, which comprises Bauchi…

1 hour ago

What to know about India’s airstrikes on Pakistan, Kashmir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country would hunt the suspects "till the ends of…

2 hours ago

Welcome

Install

This website uses cookies.