A retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Peter Olabisi Ige while delivering the keynote speech at the 2023 Law Week of Nigerian Bar Association Ibadan Branch admonished lawyers to uphold the rule of law and take to the dictates of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
In his Lordship’s keynote address, the retired Jurist noted that it is essential Lawyers stick to their solemn responsibility which is the foundation upon which social cohesion rests.
“A lawyer owes allegiance to a higher cause, the truth and justice. He must disregard his client only when it is against the principles of law. The code that requires a barrister to do this is not a code of law, it’s a code of honor.”
Speaking further, he noted that Lawyers play significant roles in all matters of law and all matters affecting the whole government at large and as such, must always consider the societal consequences of their actions.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Oyo State, Mr. Abiodun Aikomo, urged Lawyers to remember that they are agents of the law which is the secret that binds society together.
“Law is at the core of our existence and it’s a privilege that as Lawyers, we know the law. When we talk about giving back, we are not talking about giving back like companies give CSR”.
“The giving back we are talking about is the one that will ensure all of us live well and have a just society. We must think about how we can use law as an instrument of social engineering, making our society better and using it to correct the ills of our society,” he was quoted saying.
“So our giving back should be tailored towards ensuring that Nigeria works,” he added.
On his part, Mr. Femi Falana SAN who was the Guest Lecturer at the Owolabi Afuye Memorial Lecture that forms part of the Opening Ceremony of the NBA Ibadan Branch 2023 Law Week admonished corruption in the society especially from government officials. He thus admonished Lawyers not Jurists alike to always expose corrupt practices.
He furthermore vehemently condemned the unholy relationship between the Executives and the Judiciary stating that the Judiciary is an independent body and as such “it is illegal for the portraits of the State Governor to be hung inside the court rooms”. He thus condemned such act which was discovered to have been the position in the court rooms at Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State in which the portraits of the Executive Governor, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde FNSE were hung at the wall behind the sitting position of the Judges in each of the court rooms.
Also, Tolulope Idowu emerged winner of the Segun Aderibigbe Essay Competition held as part of activities for the Law Week.
Tolulope edged out other contestants to emerge the winner of the competition having successfully defended his essay before the Panel of Judges headed by Prof. Adeniyi Olatunbosun SAN.
The competition under the sponsorship of Prime Solicitors headed by Oluseun Abimbola SAN was inistituted for the benefit of young Lawyers in the Ibadan branch of the association.
Other winners are Sodiq Kolapo Esq. winning the sum of N150,000.00 after emerging as the 2nd position winner and Victor Ogunsola Esq. who won the 3rd position with the sum of N100,000.00.
