BOSAN Supports Anti-Corruption, Frowns Over Lawyers’ Abuses On Judges

Senior Advocates of Nigeria

BODY of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has declared its support to President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration on eradicating corruption to the barest minimum in the society. To this end, the body has urged the government to go ahead with prosecution of any person including lawyers found wanting over corruption stating that any of its members who participated in looting the treasury of the nation should be brought of book like other citizens.

In a communiqué signed by Mr. Ebun Sofunde (SAN) and Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN), the body noted and reminded legal practitioners in the country of a duty and responsibility to maintain the highest professional and moral standard, and therefore condemned the spate of disparaging remarks and attacks on the judiciary and judicial officers, often made in a generalized manner and perhaps calculated to intimidate and infuse fear in judges, who have sworn to dispense justice without fear or favour.

Furthermore, it called on lawyers in the country to be mindful of utterances and unethical remarks against the judges during and after giving rulings on matters presented before them in order not to bring the profession to disrepute unknowingly.

Admittedly, BOSAN frowned over the conduct of few judges who chose to toe the pact for dishonor by compromising their offices, however stated that the misconduct of few judges should not be used as a yardstick to denigrate the generality of judicial officers who have assiduously committed themselves to professionalism and service delivery.

“The body condemns all forms of corruption and money laundering by anyone, lawyers inclusive, and wholeheartedly supports appropriate efforts of the government aimed at curbing the menace of corruption through thorough investigation and prosecution of offenders in a fair trial that complies  with due process of the law and ensures equal access to justice by the prosecutor and the accused persons, while guaranteeing the fundamental human rights  of all persons as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

“While we welcome a thorough investigation of any lawyer, no matter how highly placed, due process must be followed to ensure that rights of suspects are guaranteed”.  

Other issues addressed in the communique includes the evolving practice of delays and negligence in releasing salaries and allowances of judges and judicial officers as at when due adding that if not addressed promptly is capable of ‘severely undermining the much-cherished independence of the judiciary’.