Olanipekun, Makinde others harp on sanity in judicial sector

…As NBA Ibadan branch celebrates 70th anniversary

The former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Wole Olanipekun, has urged the judiciary to uphold high standards of integrity by purging itself of bad eggs.

He said the bar and bench must identify the bad, corrupt ones and flush them out of the system else they rubbish other good practitioners. He disclosed this at the opening of the law week and 70th-anniversary celebration of the NBA Ibadan branch themed: ‘Law, Legal Practice and Development’ He also called on the stakeholders in the legal system to collaborate with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to sanitise the entire judiciary system. He said it is the right time to address all the loopholes making judges and the justice system vulnerable to attacks, especially in the media.

According to him, the bench should also ensure temperate language for the legal practitioners, always acting nobly, whether in court or not, and behaving honourably with their colleagues.

“Do not engage in strife, blackmail, mudslinging, campaign of calumny, treachery, or any attempt to pull anyone down.

“If the forebears of this branch had engaged themselves in mudslinging, war of attrition, among other vices, Ibadan bar would not be where it is today.

“Life in the country will become solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short without the law playing its proper role,” he said. He said the Ibadan branch had excelled in the legal profession by every imaginable matrix.

Olanipekun said: “The Ibadan Branch has excelled in the legal profession by every imaginable matrix. It is, actually, the leader, leading with exemplary virtues, while others follow. In the next 30 years, when you will be celebrating your centenary anniversary, your grass shall remain green as you continue to blossom.”

Also speaking, Governor Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Adebayo Lawal, urged the lawyers to maintain good conduct to project the profession better.

“Let us always remember that caution is recommended in this profession; We must not blackmail one another because it is never found as part of the profession,’’ Makinde said.

In her remarks, Folake Solanke (SAN) also enjoined the lawyers to remain corruption-free in the discharge of their duties to safeguard the profession’s integrity.

Solanke charged legal practitioners to always be mindful of their appearance and look elegant to protect the noble profession. She also called on lawyers to always maintain the culture of reading, despite the advent of technology.

“Never be tired of reading because it is very critical for your work and profession. Always remember that time is of the essence. Your appearance is extremely important. Young lawyers, especially, should be industrious and follow the advice of the elderly ones.”

Also, the Attorney General of the Federal and Minister for Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) called on practitioners to continue to play their pivotal roles in shaping the legal landscape of the nation, noting that NBA Ibadan remains a beacon of legal practice and has contributed significantly to nation building, justice delivery and promotion of human rights.

Fagbemi said: “The legacy of excellence, diligence and integrity that the Bar upheld for the past seven decades deserves to be celebrated by all Nigerians.’’

Similarly, the Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, enjoined the Ibadan Bar to sustain its tradition of excellence. The commissioner said: “70 long years after, the Ibadan bar remains a vibrant, influential branch with a strong commitment to promoting the rule of law, justice and human rights in Nigeria.”

The Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima, who was the chief host, said decorum must be restored in the legal profession. However, political analysts including the National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bashiru Ajibola; the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 election, Dr Segun Sowunmi, and a Lagos-based legal icon, Ebun Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), discussed the economy and policies of President Bola Tinubu.

They spoke on the theme: ‘Tinubu’s Administration’s Economic Agenda and Policy, How Far? So Far’. In their submissions, Adegboruwa and Sowunmi said: “The consequences of the terrible economic policies of Tinubu were mass poverty, suffering, inflation, ‘Japa’ syndrome and a general sense of frustration in place of renewed hope.”

On the flip side, Ajibola kicked against their submissions. “The criticisms were baseless and uncalled for.”

For him, Tinubu’s administration is not a socialist government, urging the critics to stop using the parameter of socialism to assess Tinubu’s government.

The Ibadan Bar Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Lawal, appreciated the icons and legends of the Bar. Many other dignitaries in the Judiciary were present at the occasion.[06/01/2025, 4:48:34 AM] ~yetyoye: Good morning sir. Please send me your email address so as to send materials for page to you sir