2018 Annual Law Week: A.G. Abia State Promises Partnership With NBA Umuahia Branch as Branch Lays Foundation For Construction of Its Bar Centre

Hon. Justice J.E. Adiele has called for the Screening of persons indicating interest to be members of Umuahia Branch of the NBA. He made this call while giving the opening remarks on day-one of the 2018 Annual Law Week hosted by Umuahia branch of the NBA. The Bench man who represented the Acting Chief Judge of Abia State, Hon. Justice A.O.K. Ogwe, said that the screening is necessary as there are some lawyers with bad characters in the profession ready to spoil the good image of the bar. He suggested that while it is hoped that such eggs can be reformed, proper screening or clearance by top bar men of integrity should be a condition precedent for admitting lawyers to the bar. He further eulogized the Umuahia branch of the NBA for taking the place of the tallest standing bar in Abia State, adding that the branch has gone a long way in improving the legal profession. He, however, charged the leadership of the bar to see to the resolution of the leadership tussle facing the Aba branch of the NBA. The Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Abia State, Ume Kalu, SAN on the other hand enjoined the Umuahia branch to be more vocal in commenting on happenings in the nation. Citing other bars as the example, the learned silk charged the Umuahia bar to start commenting on government actions in order to be relevant as a key voice in the legal profession. According to him, the Umuahia branch of the NBA is the branch closest to the seat of power in the state, therefore the branch should use of it as an opportunity to create a good relationship with the executives, adding that on his part, he will continue to partner with the branch to take it to the next level. Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Okey Amechi, SAN also highlighted what he describes as some like challenges of the future of the bar as well as proffering some solutions to the challenges stated. This he made known while delivering a keynote speech on the theme: “Equipping the Lawyer For Future Challenges”. According to him, the challenges facing the future of the bar range from being able to acquire more and relevant legal education to be able to understand and master new trends in legal thoughts and practice, keeping pace with the ever developing technology, acquiring sufficient IT education to be able to practice law in a digital age, specializing in different areas of legal practice in order to be able to plumb the enormous benefits of the modern economy, to forming professional partnerships in order to harness diverse professional skills to be able to enhance the quality of legal services and increase the income of the practitioners. He further stated that Reading which a commandment second to none has been cast to the dust by young lawyers especially by the emergence of Social media, wherein young lawyers bury themselves 24 hours. According to him, this leaves the profession with an uncanny vision of a bleak future in which we may have glorified illiterate generation for lawyers. He therefore suggested the enforcement of the Continuing legal education programme for young lawyers so as to enhance the prowess of young legal practitioners in the profession. Thereafter, the participants proceeded to the laying of foundation for the construction of the Umuahia Bar centre which was observed by other men of the bench. The chairman of the NBA umuahia branch, Eluwa Nnamdi, Esq finally thanked all those present in the event, especially members of the bench for honouring their invitation. He also appreciated the Hon. Attorney General of Abia State for his support over the years to the branch and for also hosting a cocktail party for the bar men at the Ministry of Justice in Umuahia, the state’s Capital. Among those to give goodwill messages are Mazi Afam Osigwe, Esq, Paul Usoro San, Professor Ernest Ojukwu, SAN Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN and President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Abia State, Hon. Justice A. Onwucheckwa (KSC).]]>