The Nigerian Bar Association has risen from its 59th Annual General Conference with a call on the Supreme Court to clarify whether the Code of Conduct Tribunal is an organ of the executive arm or a quasi-judicial tribunal capable of being vested with criminal jurisdiction.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the weeklong conference held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos State with the theme: ” Facing the Future”.

In the communique signed on Friday by its President, Mr Paul Usoro, the NBA said it was necessary to determine the status of the tribunal in the interest of justice.

The NBA encouraged judicial officers to be independent, courageous and unbiased in the execution of their functions without regard to the appointing authority in order to bolster and retain investor confidence.

It acknowledged the roles of the different stakeholders in the improvement of the legal profession, the Nigerian economy and the entire society.

“Government should increase confidence in the domestic business environment by protecting the sanctity of contracts, streamlining the regulatory environment and effecting fraud deterrents.

“Government is encouraged to imbue the principles of transparency and accountability to the citizens and establish processes to show that funds are applied judiciously.

“Laws with severe punitive measures for sex offenders should be enacted, sensisitisation programmes and community dialogues should be promoted to remove the stigma around gennder-based violence.

“Government is encouraged to adopt the voluntary principles on security and human rights, and develop a legal framework for effective enforcement of the principles in the extractive industry,” it said.

On legal practice, it recommended review of the Rules of Professional Conduct for an improved and efficient disciplinary process.

“The patriarchal language of the bar should evolve to recognise and embrace gender diversity in the bar and bench and, beyond the creation of NBA Women Forum, entrench gender equality in its constitution.

“The prevalence of bullying and sexual harassment in the legal profession should be addressed in the Rules of Professional Conduct,” the association added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association also said it should set up a monitoring and review process to track implementation of all recommendations aimed at the development of Nigeria’s legal practice.

NAN reports that the conference had a total of 12,000 registered delegates, 41 technical sessions and 206 guest speakers on various issues. (NAN)

______________________________________________________________________ “Artificial Intelligence for Lawyers: A Comprehensive Guide”, authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626     ________________________________________________________________________ “Timely And Groundbreaking” — Babalola, Nnawuchi Release Casebook On Privacy & Data Protection In NigeriaA timely new publication, Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria, co-authored by Olumide Babalola and Uchenna Nnawuchi, 📘 Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria is now available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8TmFZrd ______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation ______________________________________________________________________