Nigerian judiciary corrupt, says Bayelsa deputy governor

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has expressed concern over setbacks vitiating the integrity and relevance of the law profession in Nigeria due to the unprofessional conduct of some members of the bar and bench.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who stated this during a courtesy visit by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), Niger Delta University (NDU) Chapter at his office in Government House, Yenagoa, on Monday, lamented that the once respected profession is fast losing its value in the country.

Citing recent court pronouncements and judgements in the country, he said the integrity of the Nigerian legal system had eroded, noting that the judiciary was no longer the hope of the common man as it used to be. 

He decried what he called “forum shopping” being indulged in by many practicing lawyers, who institute cases only in courts where they can easily obtain favourable judgement by all means for their clients.

“It is really unfortunate that the real legal profession is dying and fading away. The judiciary itself has become so corrupt; it has become so unfortunate. I am afraid the judiciary is no longer the hope of the common man,” he said.

While encouraging law students to strive to be different from those who had soiled the integrity and reputation of the legal profession, the Deputy Governor charged them to carve a niche for themselves by exploring new areas to make a positive impact.

Responding to their demands, Senator Ewhrudjakpo promised that the government would address the issue of the broken down generator at the campus of the Law Faculty in Yenagoa in no distant time.

He mooted the idea of installing a solar farm to tackle the power supply challenge in the institution and assured them of supporting the LAWSAN Week activities.

According to him, “The bar is losing its value, but I charge you to be different from others. Strive to  carve a niche for yourselves by following professional ethics 

“Don’t confine yourself to the style of charge and bail lawyers. Explore new areas or fields in your legal practice to make a positive impact on the profession and society at large.”

Earlier in his address, the President of the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), NDU chapter, Reverend Father Anthony Suowari, informed that the visit was to formally introduce the new executive members of the association to the Deputy Governor.

While appreciating the contributions of the Deputy Governor to the Faculty of Law at the NDU, Reverend Father Suowari, appealed to the government to support the programmes earmarked for the LAWSAN Students Week in January next year.