Continued from yesterday

According to the famous legal expert, Glanville Williams, the best lawyer is the one who knows where to find the law, when confronted with very challenging situations.

The NBA should meet with the National Assembly, the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and of the States and the Law Reform Commission, in order to work out a formula for periodic publication of all existing laws, across the land.

At least every two years, it should be compulsory for the Federal Government and the States to update their laws and publish the same in hard copies and online versions. The fate of citizens depends on these laws and it is most worrisome that we may get to a situation where desperate persons would print out their own versions of fake laws, to suit their specific situations.
 
The AGF and NBA
It is time to interrogate the relationship between the office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and the NBA.

The Akpata administration had a running battle with the HAGF based mainly on issues of principle on certain steps taken by the HAGF on the amendment of the Rules of Professional Conduct by the General Council of the Bar, leading to a court action for which judgment was delivered in favour of the NBA.

Now, there is nothing wrong with amending the RPC, as many of its provisions are patently archaic and not in tandem with modern realities. I mean, how do you ask lawyers not to advertise when virtually every law firm has a website, lawyers are on Facebook, Linkedin, etc? However, the abolition of stamp and seal would have been a major setback for the practice of law, especially in curbing the incidence of fake lawyers, now that many other professions have since embraced the practice of stamp and seal for their members.

However, I fully support the eradication of issuance of an annual practising licence to lawyers, if the concomitant effect would be that without it, one would not be entitled to practice. The licence to practice is earned permanently upon being called to the Bar by the Body of Benchers and the enrolment at the Supreme Court.
 
Generally, I see a brighter future for the Bar, if the present Exco is able to sustain its current enthusiasm, unite the various tendencies within the Bar and refrain totally from adopting divisive tactics that may end up weakening the very fabric of the Exco itself. It is only a two-year journey, which must be navigated with fairness to all, utmost transparency and a solid commitment to the common good, no matter the provocations.

The experiences and doggedness of members of the new Exco should count in their favour to help achieve much for the NBA, so that we can all have the Bar of our dreams, truly all-inclusive, for young lawyers, senior lawyers, judges and indeed for the people of Nigeria.

Concluded
Adegboruwa is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).