Overview
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has reconstituted membership of its disciplinary committee to stem indiscipline.
At the inauguration of nine NBA technical committees in Abuja, its President, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud (SAN), said it had become necessary to reconstitute its disciplinary committee to enthrone discipline and decency which distinguish the legal practice as a noble profession.
He said the NBA would not fold its arms and watch helplessly as indiscipline erodes the culture of decorum.
“I’ll like to say that we have had serious challenges of indiscipline and I like our members to reflect on this.” said. Mahmoud.
He said the challenges border on unruly behaviours among members which, he noted, are contrary to the entrenched traditions of the profession.
“These issues include discipline, respect for elders in the profession, seniority and decorum. I like to say that many of us are deeply concerned and have been despondent at the turn of events. At times, some lawyers make hateful comments against their leaders, against their senior colleagues. This is very unacceptable. We will really put a stop to this.
The spate of litigations by members across the country is worrisome. Believe me, one of the first challenges that confronted me as President of NBA was the spate of litigation from various branches. In Abuja, here, we have had serious issues of indiscipline, indecorum and indecent conducts. It is not about who is right but about what is right and appropriate for our profession.
I went to Osun State about two months ago and was confronted with serious issues of indiscipline perpetrated by our members who showed gross indiscipline to the Chief Judge, barricading the Chief Judge from entering the court premises. This is most unacceptable. I will plead with our members to show utmost restraint, utmost discipline and utmost respect.
Let me remark about comments we receive on social media. While we live in an era of social media, we, as lawyers must be careful about comments we make in the social media about our profession. Let us be advocates of discipline, let’s be advocates of decorum and let’s be advocates of decency.”
He said this in view of the development, it has become necessary for the NBA to reconstitute its disciplinary committee and prepare the association for the challenges ahead.
A statement by the General Secretary, Mr. Isiaka Olagunju listed members of the Lagos panel A to include Mr. George Oguntade (SAN) as chairman , Dr. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), as the alternate chairman, Wale Irokosu, Mrs. Ifeoma M. Okwuosa, Femi Fajolu and Mrs Tosin Adekoya as secretary; Lagos Panel B include Dr. Babatunde Ajiboye (SAN) chairman, Levi Adikawaone as the Altenate chaiman, Mrs. Muna Esegine, Mbanugo Udenze, Morenike Obi-Farinde and Tochukwu Chukwumerije as secretary; Lagos Panel C has Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) as chairman, Biriyai Dambo (SAN) as alternate chairman, Asue Ighodalo, Mrs. Pricilia Ogwemoh, Inam Wilson, Lateef Ajayi and Omotayo Kazeem Olatunbosun as secretary.
Source: The Nation Newspaper | August, 1, 2017
