NAN-H-57
Lawyers
By Veronica Dariya
Abuja, Sept. 14, 2016 (NAN) Some Abuja-based lawyers have expressed optimism that there will be laudable reforms that will make the judiciary and the society better in the new legal year.
The lawyers spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Kubwa, FCT, on Wednesday.
According to them, in spite of the heights so far attain in the sector, all hands must be on deck to make the judiciary the hope of the society.
One of the lawyers, Mr Ifeanyi Moses, told NAN that he anticipated that the judiciary would be more vibrant and transparent in the administration of justice to restore the confidence of the public in the sector.
“I also expect that the welfare of all judges will improve in terms of increase in their salaries and allocations and that of the assistants are appointed to them because they also do part of the bulk work.
“Courtrooms should be renovated and facilities and infrastructure within the judiciary improved. I expect that this year, there will be no day any court will not sit because of lack of electricity,” Moses said.
He also added that the judiciary must be a beneficiary of the dividends of democracy, saying that it is expected that the weight of the law should come hard on corrupt judges.
“If they are provided with good welfare, infrastructure and the environment and anyone of them has any reason to undertake the hideous terrain of corruption, such judge should be openly de-robed.”
Similarly, Mrs Maureen Ajogo, expressed deep concerns that the standard of practice was declining by the day.
Ajogo said the new legal year redress the declining standard, adding that lawyers must desist from filing frivolous cases, which she said, had become a common phenomenon in the jurisdiction.
“I urge my colleagues to imbibe self-discipline and be truthful to clients.
“We must give room for diligence in the prosecution of cases; we must not encourage corruption because in most cases, with no connivance of lawyers, one cannot get corrupt judges.
“I also strongly believe that we lawyers should corporate with the bench in the prompt and smooth dispensation of justice.
“We should desist from filing frivolous applications and all manner of objections that delay the due hearing of matters on good point.
“We must ensure that both the litigants, the judiciary and judges get our corporation to oil the wheel of progress and justice, not encourage touting, but work toward building a robust administration of justice,” Ajogo said.
Mr Abbas Hamid, another lawyer, said that a proactive Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) should help to address some of the challenges facing the system.
He said: “I like to see a more coordinated bar that will respond and connect with not just the desire but the expectations of the Nigerian people.
“With a proactive, responsible and active NBA that operates away from the desire to curry people and provide the leadership that is needed from that professional body, there will be a turnaround.” (NAN)
DVK/OFN
(Edited by Felix Nwadioha)