Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BOB) and legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has advised lawyers not to see the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) as a forum for settling scores with imaginary enemies.

Olanipekun said the LPDC, as an independent agency of the BOB, serves solely as an avenue through which it exercises the power to discipline any erring legal practitioner.

He spoke during the Call to Bar ceremony for 1,491 new lawyers, held by the BOB at its secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, yesterday.

He said LPDC “is a committee of the Body of Benchers saddled with the responsibility of disciplining any legal practitioner in Nigeria, where his or her conduct amounts to infamous conduct in professional respect, in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct for legal practitioners in Nigeria.”

“Over the years, the LPDC has continued to operate as an independent arbiter, enjoying absolute independence in the course of carrying out its assignment. The Body of Benchers does not and will not interfere with any of the proceedings or outcome of such proceedings before the LPDC.

“It is important to point out that the LPDC is not an avenue for dealing with perceived enemies or ventilation of grievances against fellow lawyers on personal issues. The decision of the LPDC is known as Direction, and any appeal against the Direction goes directly to the Supreme Court.”