NBA 2nd Vice President, Monday Ubani Condemns Disrespectful Behaviour Against Mike Ozekhome SAN

• Says Truth Must Be Told At All Times Irrespective Of Whose Ox Is Gored. The second Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association and the former Chairman Ikeja Branch of NBA, Monday Onyekachukwu Ubani Esq has shown disdain and as well condemned in strong terms, the ill behaviour meted out to Chief MIKE OZEKHOME SAN at the event held on Monday, 15th January, 2018 by NBA Ikeja to honour late Chief Gani Fawehinmi. Speaking with TheNigerialawyer the 2nd Vice P resident described the act as very unfortunate and clearly unacceptable. In his words: “We should not degenerate to that level despite the situation on ground. Every one accused of crime today in Nigeria is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved in the court of law and therefore such a defendant is entitled to be defended by a lawyer of his or her choice; that is the current jurisprudence in Nigeria. It is the duty of the Prosecutor to assemble and marshall his facts and evidence to convince the court of the guilt of the Defendant and the proof must be beyond reasonable doubt, while the Defendant is entitled to be heard and defended by a lawyer of his or her choice.” He also added that, that a lawyer should be booed, jeered at because it is alleged that he defends “corrupt persons” is unacceptable, bad, uncultured and reprehensible. It is not the route for us to go because it will mean criminalizing a professional duty which we all condemn when doctors are not allowed to treat armed robbers. Mr Ubani therefore urged all members of this noble profession to remain as one. He further stated that it is a matter of choice on who we choose to represent as counsel. “That Ubani chooses tomorrow not to handle matrimonial or criminal cases is by choice. Chief OZEKHOME SAN may have his excesses but he is still a human being and not God. Concluding in a traditional way, he appealed to persons who seem not to understand how the system work to not make lawyers endangered specie. In his words: ”LAWYERS SHOULD NOT BE MADE ENDANGERED SPECIE IN THE LINE OF DUTY BIKO,” he added.]]>