Leading Nigerian lawyer and Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, has emphasized the crucial role of the law in attaining national stability and development in Nigeria. Awomolo made this call while delivering the keynote address at the 2024 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar).
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In his thought-provoking speech titled “Deploying the Law to Attain National Stability and Development,” Awomolo highlighted the indispensable nature of the law in any democratic society, stating that without rigorous observance of the Rule of Law, a democracy like Nigeria’s cannot endure or thrive.
Awomolo stressed the need for the country’s laws to address the common goal of governance – being for the people, by the people, and of the people. He noted that Nigeria has remained stagnated and underdeveloped due to a deficit in the quality of governance by elected and appointed officials.
The legal icon called for making the Fundamental and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in Chapter II of the Nigerian Constitution enforceable in courts. He cited precedents worldwide where socio-economic rights are justiciable, urging Nigeria to follow suit.
Awomolo also emphasized the role of legal practitioners in upholding the law, democratic values, and principles in Nigeria. He reminded the gathering of the words of the country’s first indigenous lawyer, Christopher Alexander Sapara Williams, who said, “The Legal Practitioner lives for the direction of his people and the advancement of the cause of his Country.”
The keynote speaker commended the Nigerian Bar Association’s leadership under Y.C. Maikyau, SAN, OON, for spearheading the push for desirable reforms in the administration of justice. He also praised the efforts of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, in addressing problems in the judiciary sector.
Awomolo called for an end to political interference and undignified lobbying for judicial appointments, stressing the need for appointees to be persons of character and learning. He also advocated for reforms to address indiscipline, professional misconduct, and abuse of clients’ confidence within the legal profession.
The keynote address at the Unity Bar’s Law Week emphasized the pivotal role of the law in driving national stability and development, urging stakeholders to deploy the law as an instrument for positive change in Nigeria.
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