Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, President of The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has charged the Chief Justice of Nigeria as the Chairman of NJC to put a stop lavish receptions that expose judicial officers to politicians and other politically exposed persons.
Mazi Osigwe stated that “the public mingling and fraternization of judicial officers and such politicians and other politically exposed person at the events do not paint a good image of the judiciary.”
“This becomes more worrisome in the light of the perception that politicians will do anything to influence judges and their decisions,” Osigwe stated.
Osigwe said during a Speech by the President of The Nigerian Bar Association at The Special Session of The Supreme Court to Mark the Beginning of The New Legal Year/Conferment of The Rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Mazi Osigwe said the Chief Justice of Nigeria as the Chairman of NJC should “take steps to end the current trend of making the swearing-in of judicial officers a huge funfair filled with pomp and ceremony.
“The lavish receptions which follow these swearing-in ceremonies are becoming worrisome. They unduly expose judicial officers to politicians and other politically exposed persons. The public mingling and fraternization of judicial officers and such politicians and other politically exposed person at the events do not paint a good image of the judiciary.
“This becomes more worrisome in the light of the perception that politicians will do anything to influence judges and their decisions. We are therefore of the view that the overly publicised and widely attended swearing-in ceremonies as well as the very lavish ceremonies being organised by such newly sworn-in judicial officers are robbing the offices they occupy, of the solemnity and discreet nature they deserve.
Both the swearing-in and celebrations should be solemn events held in private while receptions should be court-sponsored luncheons for the newly sworn-in judicial officers. The judiciary must show a reluctance to mimic the public exhibition of affluence, wanton display of wealth, and public celebrations.”
On the Nigeria Police, Osigwe stated that the “leadership of the NJC will help ensure that Chief Judges of the States and the FCT make sure that all Police stations and other detention facilities in each State of the Federation and the FCT are visited and inspected by Magistrates and Judges once a month, pursuant to the requisite provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Laws.
“We also hope that the number of inmates in our Correctional Facilities which was recently put at about 73% of the total prison population, will be greatly reduced if the abuse of the holding charge, is addressed.
We urge, NJC to work with Heads of Courts to ensure that no court makes a remand order without taking steps to ensure that a charge is filed against a person whom the order is made or that such a matter is periodically reviewed to avoid prolonged incarceration without trial or any charge being filed.
“We will not end this without calling for a review of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria as the current Guidelines precludes academics at the Nigerian Law School, from being awarded the rank as they neither supervise students nor are awarded professorship since the Law School neither awards professorship nor supervises dissertations.
Indeed, restricting the award to professors in the academia and who perform certain functions, defeats the essence of the award to academics which is aimed at appointing one who “has made significant contribution to legal scholarship and jurisprudence through teaching, research, published works and academic leadership”.
“The possibility of increasing the number of academics who are annually awarded the rank to about three should be considered. We also advocate for the amendment of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee Rules, 2020 not only to speed up the disciplinary process but also to ensure that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee focuses only on adjudication and not combine same with investigating and determining a prima facie case before a Respondent is called upon to respond to a petition.
“NBA is ready to work with the Body of Benchers and the Chief Justice of Nigeria to amend the LPDC Rules to particularly fully restore the role and powers of the NBA in the investigation of complaints of professional misconduct against legal practitioners as well as prosecution of matters before the LPDC.
“Finally, I note that as lawyers, we must support the judiciary in the delivery of justice. This requires that we approach our work with diligence, integrity, and respect for the court’s processes. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is fully committed to collaborating with the judiciary to address these challenges.
Whether through advocating for judicial reforms, promoting continuing legal education, or enhancing access to justice, the NBA remains a steadfast partner in the advancement of the rule of law. As we look forward to this new legal year, let us do so with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility. We must confront the challenges before us with courage and determination, and always keep in mind the words of the late Justice Taslim Elias: “Justice is the greatest concern of man on earth.”
“The legal profession has a unique role to play in shaping the future of Nigeria. We are the custodians of the law, and it is through our collective efforts that we can build a justice system that is fair, efficient, and accessible to all Nigerians.
We must rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of justice. We have an enormous responsibility to uphold the rule of law and ensure that our judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. I pledge the NBA’s continued support for the judiciary and its unwavering commitment to improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.”