• Urges confidential reports only, justice reform, AI regulation
• Ekpa’s Trial: Our courts should learn, expedite hearing of terrorism cases, says NBA
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police, to refrain from summoning nominees for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for questioning as part of the conferment process.
President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, who spoke during a post-yearly general conference media briefing in Abuja yesterday, said that while confidential reports from security agencies are a welcome part of the screening process, it is inappropriate and unnecessary for nominees to be “grilled” in person by security operatives.
He described such invitations as potentially prejudicial and counterproductive to the professional and independent nature of the profession, as judges are also allowed to take confidential issues around cases handled by SAN nominees.
According to the NBA President, intelligence should be discreetly gathered, without compromising the dignity and integrity of the nominees or turning the process into a form of pre-trial investigation.
However, the NBA flayed unnecessary delays in the hearing and conclusion of terrorism-related trials in the country, stressing that some of the cases pending in courts have dragged on for years.
According to the legal body, the speedy trial and conviction of the self-styled Prime Minister of Biafra, Simon Ekpa, by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, should be a lesson to the Nigerian judiciary and the prosecuting agencies.
Osigwe maintained that a key takeaway from Ekpa’s case was the time it took to commence and conclude the trial. He emphasised the importance of timely, well-investigated prosecutions that are built on solid evidence and concluded efficiently, saying: “The Nigerian judiciary, investigative and prosecutorial agencies should observe how that trial was conducted, the quality of evidence, the speed of the process, and the clarity of the outcome.”
He further advised the security agencies to be proactive in addressing the misuse of social media for inciting hate or promoting terrorism, rather than reacting only when political figures are targeted.
Besides, he reiterated the association’s commitment to inclusivity across all levels of seniority. The association noted that many of Nigeria’s laws remain outdated and fail to reflect current realities, thereby perpetuating inequality and stalling national development.
It, therefore, called on the legal profession to rise to its historic duty to drive reform, promote equity, and uphold the rule of law without fear or favour.
