Owerri NBA advocates rule of law

The need for lawyers to uphold the rule of law, enhance justice and peace were the focus of discussions at the 2017 annual law week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri branch.

The event which took place at the Villa Garden Hotels, New Owerri was attended by legal practitioners from Imo State and other parts of the country. The Bench was also highly represented at the one week event.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the Owerri branch of the NBA, Mr. Lawrence Nwakaeti said: “ The Bar in Owerri has come of age and has accordingly deviated from the age long practice of relying on the government of the day for assistance in financing some of its activities.

“We must align ourselves with the suffering masses of Imo State in refusing any Greek gift that will tend to compromise our independence and by extension our ability to criticize the government and all State agencies for the good of our people.

This must however not be misunderstood to mean that we are fighting the government, far from it. Our jobs are complimentary and therefore aimed towards building a free fair and just society for all,” Nwakaeti stated.

The week long event ended on Friday night with annual law dinner under the chairmanship of a former Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice B. A. Njemanze.

Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu and Chief Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN) were honoured at the Law Dinner for their contributions to the development of the society.