Mr. Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has
expressed dissatisfaction with the manner campaigns ahead of the
July, 2020 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) elections are going.
In a statement made available to Nairalaw (TNL), he said
instead of the supporters of the aspirants to focus on issues
affecting the profession, they are are rather focusing on mundane
issues with false promises like conventional politicians.
“I have read many write-ups on the forthcoming NBA elections by
supporters of the respective aspirants for the various posts and I
must confess that not many focussed on issues affecting the legal
profession and the capabilities of the respective aspirants to
addressed these issues within the two years duration for the office
of the president. Rather what I see and read in most cases are not
too far from the mundane issues of who pays what as wages for
lawyers and who has that or this connection with this or that
entity.
“I see and read such things as who has capacity to spend more
money on enjoyment for lawyers. I do not with respect see much
difference between the deceptions practiced on us by conventional
political class on Nigerian people during electioneering fake
promises from what many of us are exhibiting on behalf of those we
support in the forthcoming election. In fact I see us employing
more deceptive tactics than conventional politicians here. I see
more of debating personalities and insulting ourselves than real
issues. There is total lack of decorum. In most cases I see
personality quarrels than the issues confronting the legal
profession.”
Okutepa went on to mention some of the things that should have
been the focus of the aspirants:
“The declined ethical questions are not being addressed. The
absence of the rule of law and disobedience to court orders are not
being addressed. The processes of recruitment of judicial officers
that seem to throw merit overboard and lobbying as tool for
recruitment are not being addressed. The delayed justice in our
land has not engaged the attention of anyone. Even the injustice
within the Bar where year in year out we pay our practising fees
and see no benefits has not been talked about. What about
conferences we paid for and we get no value for our pay.”
The learned silk therefore suggested that there should be
assessment of the capabilities of the candidates
“I think an agenda for discussions to assess the capabilities of
these candidates be set. There must be an end to mundane issues and
personalities attacks. We have not discussed and proffer solutions
on how to tackle misconduct on the part of lawyers either in
business or practice. Many issues affecting us as profession are
not being discussed. We don’t hold those we elected accountable. We
just engage ourselves in sycophantic praise singing even when those
in positions are not doing well on our behalf.”
He also suggested that the electoral process of the Bar should
be exemplary. Attacking others will not help anything
“As lawyers our electoral processes should show good example for
others to emulate. But reverse seems to be the case. These and many
others should be our focus as an agenda for those aspiring to lead
us. Attacking will not help. Being attack dogs will not translate
to benefits for the vast majority of Nigerian lawyers.” the learned
silk concluded
Mr. Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has
expressed dissatisfaction with the manner campaigns ahead of the
July, 2020 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) elections are going.
In a statement made available to Nairalaw (TNL), he said
instead of the supporters of the aspirants to focus on issues
affecting the profession, they are are rather focusing on mundane
issues with false promises like conventional politicians.
“I have read many write-ups on the forthcoming NBA elections by
supporters of the respective aspirants for the various posts and I
must confess that not many focussed on issues affecting the legal
profession and the capabilities of the respective aspirants to
addressed these issues within the two years duration for the office
of the president. Rather what I see and read in most cases are not
too far from the mundane issues of who pays what as wages for
lawyers and who has that or this connection with this or that
entity.
“I see and read such things as who has capacity to spend more
money on enjoyment for lawyers. I do not with respect see much
difference between the deceptions practiced on us by conventional
political class on Nigerian people during electioneering fake
promises from what many of us are exhibiting on behalf of those we
support in the forthcoming election. In fact I see us employing
more deceptive tactics than conventional politicians here. I see
more of debating personalities and insulting ourselves than real
issues. There is total lack of decorum. In most cases I see
personality quarrels than the issues confronting the legal
profession.”
Okutepa went on to mention some of the things that should have
been the focus of the aspirants:
“The declined ethical questions are not being addressed. The
absence of the rule of law and disobedience to court orders are not
being addressed. The processes of recruitment of judicial officers
that seem to throw merit overboard and lobbying as tool for
recruitment are not being addressed. The delayed justice in our
land has not engaged the attention of anyone. Even the injustice
within the Bar where year in year out we pay our practising fees
and see no benefits has not been talked about. What about
conferences we paid for and we get no value for our pay.”
The learned silk therefore suggested that there should be
assessment of the capabilities of the candidates
“I think an agenda for discussions to assess the capabilities of
these candidates be set. There must be an end to mundane issues and
personalities attacks. We have not discussed and proffer solutions
on how to tackle misconduct on the part of lawyers either in
business or practice. Many issues affecting us as profession are
not being discussed. We don’t hold those we elected accountable. We
just engage ourselves in sycophantic praise singing even when those
in positions are not doing well on our behalf.”
He also suggested that the electoral process of the Bar should
be exemplary. Attacking others will not help anything
“As lawyers our electoral processes should show good example for
others to emulate. But reverse seems to be the case. These and many
others should be our focus as an agenda for those aspiring to lead
us. Attacking will not help. Being attack dogs will not translate
to benefits for the vast majority of Nigerian lawyers.” the learned
silk concluded