NAN-H-73
Appeal
Madgdalene Ukuedojor
Abuja, Jan. 16, 2017 (NAN) The President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, has urged legal practitioners to shun sharp practices and impact positively on national development.
Adejumo made the call in Abuja on Monday, at his first sitting in his court after the yuletide break.
The president advised lawyers to take on the responsibility of contributing their quota to the development of the country.
“I urge you all young and senior lawyers to aspire to do something positive for Nigeria; that is what we should all stand for, not money.
“Younger lawyers here, have it in mind that I want to contribute to the growth of this country.
“If you cannot change the world, change your continent; if you cannot change your continent, change your country and if you cannot change your country, change your region, state or transform at least one person.
“Do not be slaves to money, let the money slave for you; in this New Year, we have to help out to make our country better,’’ he said.
He urged lawyers to ensure that they actively participate in nation building and leave a legacy towards a better country.
He said the court would continually uphold good labour practices, promote gender equality, while condemning regulations that aided discrimination against women and the less privileged.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that there was a mild drama in court when the president informed lawyers that the new National Industrial Court of Nigeria Civil Procedure Rules 2017 would take off in all court proceedings.
Adejumo said limited copies of the rules were printed and would soon be in circulation at a fee.
Senior lawyers however, pleaded with the president to subsidise the rules for N500 or N1,000 at most, claiming the recession affected lawyers as well.
Junior lawyers scampered for the few copies in court, some claiming they had just been called to bar, while others urged the judge to share it to female lawyers and those who fight the cause of the poor.
The president while adamant to their pleas for free copies and subsidised prices, gave a few copies to two senior lawyers and three very young lawyers called to bar in 2015 and 2016. (NAN)
MUK/MNA/
(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Julius Enehikhuere)