#NBA Decides 2020: ECNBA Must This Time Wield The Big Stick Against Any Aspirant Caught Violating The RPC In His Or Her Aspiration To The Bar — Okutepa SAN

*Says Any Aspirant That Buys The Consciences Of Lawyers Is Not Fit To Lead The Bar
*Says We Must Do All We Can To Resist Money Bags
*Says Lawyers Are To Be Light Of The Society

Constitutional lawyer, J.S. Okutepa, SAN has said that any aspirant who buys the consciences of lawyers is not fit to lead the bar.

The learned silk made this statement whilst speaking on the attitude of some aspirants of the bar close to the NBA election.

According to him, if lawyers condone the evil of vote-buying, what moral justification do they have to speak to those in power who do less evil than them. He noted that the bar should not be commercialized.

“This year, NBA will elect its national officers to pilot the affairs of the professional association for the next two years. The Paul Usoro SAN led Exco will complete their tenure in August 2020 and a new Exco will be sworn in August 2020. This year’s conference is fixed to hold in Port Harcourt Rivers State I am told.

Even though campaign has not been lifted, we see those aspiring to lead greeting us and issuing periodic statements to be seen as good candidates.

Even those who were not vocal before have suddenly become vocal.

“Many seasonal experts in NBA elections are back on the field. Many lawyers considered NBA election as period of money-making time. So many not too good and popular lawyers before or those who have nothing to offer the profession in terms ethical standards of conduct believe they can win NBA election using money and other inducements.

Today you see many branches extending invitations to these aspirants. Money answers all things they say.

But should the Bar election be commercialised? I think not.

“But the reality on the ground is that it is more costly to run for NBA elections than some conventional political offices in Nigeria. While I respect the right of choice of lawyers to pitch tents with any lawyer they wish to lead the Bar, I have no respect for any lawyer who commercialised his or her choice.

Therefore I feel terribly ashamed to see lawyers making demands of those aspiring to lead the Bar. Any aspirant that buys the consciences of lawyers to lead is not fit to lead the Bar. Why do we accept those who pay to get our votes. Are lawyers now cheap commodities to be bought for votes. We must as lawyers point out these things and discuss them with a view to finding solutions to them.

If as lawyers we condone these evils, what moral justification do we have to speak to those in power who do less evils than us,” he said.

Speaking further, he said that it is now an accepted conduct for lawyers to be making demands of aspirants or candidates; and that is why year in year out, they pay humongous fees for their conferences and they are treated as sub- humans and no consequence follow.

“Go to NEC meetings of NBA, nothing reasonable is discussed and issues are rubber-stamped. If we as lawyers become corrupt and condone corruption then we lose the right to be addressed as learned gentlemen.

As lawyers we are to be the light of the society. But it appears we have allowed darkness to overwhelm and overshadow our profession in Nigeria. This is directly traceable to the type of leaders we chose or that forced their ways to the positions of leadership in the profession.”

He thus stated that as we approach the 2020 election, we must do all we can to resist money bags and elect leaders that are responsible and ethically balanced and responsible, adding that, we must avoid electing those with baggage.

“NBA members must go all out to elect leaders who can challenge the violations of rule of law and due process with fear of any repercussions from any quarters.

“That is why the Tawo E. Tawo SAN led ECNBA must this time wields the big sticks against any aspirant caught violating the rules of professional conduct in the legal profession in his or her aspirations to lead the Bar. We have paid enough lip services to discipline in our profession. Let those to lead us be above board,” he said.