A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afam Osigwe, lately took the oath of workplace because the thirty second president of the Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA), the skilled stress group of certified authorized practitioners in Nigeria. This accomplished a course of that started in July of this 12 months when he defeated his closest rivals, Tobenna Erokiwe and Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN), to win the election to the esteemed place. Osigwe, the fast previous Basic Secretary of the Affiliation, succeeds Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) within the two-year, one-term function of the distinguished physique.
In his inaugural speech, Osigwe acknowledged the burden of the NBA’s duty as a robust voice within the nation’s democratic course of and declared the physique’s dedication to dwell as much as it beneath his management.
“Beneath my watch, the Nigerian Bar Affiliation won’t draw back from holding the federal and state governments accountable. The rule of legislation have to be upheld, and the rights of Nigerians have to be protected,” he said.
His first notable motion was to ascertain 5 committees, which he plans to make use of to pursue the targets he seeks to realize throughout his tenure: the Nigerian Bar Affiliation Girls’s Discussion board, the Nationwide Litigation Committee, the Residents Liberties Committee, the Adjudicature Evaluate Committee, and the 2025 Annual Basic Convention Planning Committee. This seems to be management with a goal.
As the brand new management of the Nigerian Bar Affiliation steps into workplace, a monumental process awaits: restoring religion in a judiciary that many Nigerians view with skepticism and disillusionment. The present state of the Nigerian authorized system displays deep-seated points that require pressing consideration. To revitalize the judiciary and uphold the rules of justice, the brand new president should deal with six crucial areas: bettering entry to justice, restoring judicial impartiality, expediting justice supply, defending democratic freedoms, advocating for attorneys’ welfare, and driving electoral and judicial reforms.
The integrity of the judiciary is paramount for a functioning democracy. Nevertheless, quite a few reviews counsel that many Nigerians have misplaced religion within the impartiality of the authorized system. Justice is more and more perceived as a commodity on the market, accessible solely to those that can afford it. Corruption permeates the judiciary, from decrease courts to the Supreme Court docket, eroding public belief.
The prevalence of controversial judgments, typically based mostly on authorized technicalities fairly than the deserves of circumstances, additional fuels this disillusionment.
The brand new NBA management should prioritize the battle towards corruption throughout the judiciary. Usually, fingers are pointed at judges, however it’s crooked attorneys who ship their shoppers’ bribes to the judges. The NBA should advocate for transparency and accountability in judicial processes. Collaborative initiatives with civil society and different stakeholders can foster a tradition of integrity, guaranteeing that judges are chosen and promoted based mostly on benefit fairly than political or familial connections.
By restoring public confidence in judicial impartiality, the NBA can reaffirm its function as a protector of justice.
One other urgent concern is the sluggish tempo of the justice supply course of. The backlog of circumstances and the prevalence of frivolous motions contribute to a system the place justice is delayed—typically to the detriment of litigants, a few of whom might die earlier than their circumstances are resolved. It’s unacceptable that our prisons are stuffed with inmates awaiting trial, lots of whom would have served their sentences by the point their circumstances are lastly adjudicated.
The NBA should actively take part in streamlining the judicial course of. This consists of advocating for reforms that restrict frivolous litigation and encourage well timed adjudication. Implementing know-how in courtroom proceedings can considerably scale back delays, permitting for extra environment friendly case administration. Furthermore, the NBA ought to promote different dispute decision mechanisms to alleviate the burden on the courts.
The routine arrests of journalists and civil society activists, coupled with crackdowns on peaceable demonstrations, pose a major risk to the democratic cloth of the nation. The NBA has a vital function in defending these freedoms. The brand new management should advocate for the safety of civil liberties and make sure that the rights of people to precise dissent peacefully are upheld. This consists of offering authorized assist to journalists and activists going through persecution and dealing to repeal legal guidelines that infringe on freedom of speech and meeting.
We count on the attorneys’ physique to guide the marketing campaign to guard the rights of these prosecuted for treason after taking part in latest protests towards poor governance in Nigeria. The NBA’s dedication to defending human rights will reinforce its fame as a guardian of democracy.
Whereas specializing in the broader points going through the judiciary, it’s equally necessary to handle the welfare of younger attorneys. Many budding attorneys battle with insufficient remuneration and poor working situations, significantly in bigger legislation corporations. This disparity impacts their skilled progress and stifles innovation and enthusiasm throughout the authorized career.
The brand new NBA management ought to champion initiatives that guarantee truthful remuneration for all authorized practitioners. This may be achieved by advocating for minimal wage requirements in authorized practices and inspiring corporations to prioritize the welfare of their staff. By fostering an atmosphere the place younger attorneys can thrive, the NBA can strengthen the authorized career as a complete.
Lastly, the NBA should lead the decision for complete electoral and judicial reforms. Election integrity and the judicial system are interdependent; each have to be clear and accountable to revive public belief. The NBA ought to have interaction in dialogue with lawmakers to advocate for reforms that guarantee truthful electoral processes and an unbiased judiciary.
By forming coalitions with civil society teams and different stakeholders, the NBA can amplify its voice in advocating for these crucial adjustments. A concerted effort towards reform won’t solely improve the credibility of the authorized system but in addition restore Nigerians’ religion of their democracy.
The duties earlier than the brand new NBA management are daunting however not insurmountable. By addressing the problems of judicial impartiality, expediting justice supply, defending democratic freedoms, advocating for attorneys’ welfare, and driving electoral and judicial reforms, the NBA can reclaim its place as a beacon of justice in Nigeria. As the brand new management embarks on this journey, it should accomplish that with a dedication to integrity, transparency, and the unwavering pursuit of justice for all. The Nigerian folks deserve nothing much less.
