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| Credits – google |
The role of a lawyer
depends on where you find him. If you
find him in court, then he is a litigator, whose role is to plead the case of
his client before the judge, if he is an in-house counsel, his duty is to
promote and represent the best interests of his company, ensuring the company
does not go foul of statutory rules and regulations. Lawyers could also be
found in government agencies or private practice as well. The role of a lawyer
may vary from place to place, however, one significant role a lawyer plays is
to provide non-lawyers with legal advice. The lawyer is also the custodian of
the rule of law, it is said that a lawyer is a minister/priest in the temple of
justice and it is his duty to ensure that the wheels of justice keep turning.
depends on where you find him. If you
find him in court, then he is a litigator, whose role is to plead the case of
his client before the judge, if he is an in-house counsel, his duty is to
promote and represent the best interests of his company, ensuring the company
does not go foul of statutory rules and regulations. Lawyers could also be
found in government agencies or private practice as well. The role of a lawyer
may vary from place to place, however, one significant role a lawyer plays is
to provide non-lawyers with legal advice. The lawyer is also the custodian of
the rule of law, it is said that a lawyer is a minister/priest in the temple of
justice and it is his duty to ensure that the wheels of justice keep turning.
Society has created many
rules and regulations for the co-existence of mankind and it is also the role
of lawyers to interpret these rules to society. A lawyer could be a superhero
sometimes, he/she represents clients who sometimes cannot pay or are in some
form of terrible jam, either self inflicted or by a stroke of luck/ill – luck. In
a nutshell, a lawyer is saddled with responsibility of using his services to be
there for anyone who needs his help, just like a doctor.
rules and regulations for the co-existence of mankind and it is also the role
of lawyers to interpret these rules to society. A lawyer could be a superhero
sometimes, he/she represents clients who sometimes cannot pay or are in some
form of terrible jam, either self inflicted or by a stroke of luck/ill – luck. In
a nutshell, a lawyer is saddled with responsibility of using his services to be
there for anyone who needs his help, just like a doctor.
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| Credits – Google |
In a democratic society
like ours, lawyers also play a vital role as the custodian of justice. The conscience
of the people and a bridge between the government and its people. Alexis De
Tocqueville once stated that “When one visits Americans and when one studies
their laws, one sees that the authority they have given to lawyers and the
influence that they have allowed them to have in the government form the most powerful
barrier today against the lapses of democracy”. The above quote shows the vital
role lawyers have played in developing and nurturing the United States of
America.
like ours, lawyers also play a vital role as the custodian of justice. The conscience
of the people and a bridge between the government and its people. Alexis De
Tocqueville once stated that “When one visits Americans and when one studies
their laws, one sees that the authority they have given to lawyers and the
influence that they have allowed them to have in the government form the most powerful
barrier today against the lapses of democracy”. The above quote shows the vital
role lawyers have played in developing and nurturing the United States of
America.
I don’t think I have always
wanted to be a lawyer, I remember my Dad once asked me if I wanted to be a
lawyer or a business man when I kept brimming with business ideas. I also
remember in primary school, I was about 7 and we were having a costume party at
school, I adorned the lawyer’s wig and gown and sang the words “I am a lawyer
in my country and everybody knows me well”. Maybe an angel was flying by that
day and decided to grant me my wish because I am now a lawyer in my country,
Nigeria. However, as I grew to understand my role and responsibility in the
larger society, I knew it was my duty as a lawyer to use my services to make my
country and the world at large a better place.
wanted to be a lawyer, I remember my Dad once asked me if I wanted to be a
lawyer or a business man when I kept brimming with business ideas. I also
remember in primary school, I was about 7 and we were having a costume party at
school, I adorned the lawyer’s wig and gown and sang the words “I am a lawyer
in my country and everybody knows me well”. Maybe an angel was flying by that
day and decided to grant me my wish because I am now a lawyer in my country,
Nigeria. However, as I grew to understand my role and responsibility in the
larger society, I knew it was my duty as a lawyer to use my services to make my
country and the world at large a better place.
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| Credits – Google |
That brings me to the question,
what is the role of lawyers in Nigeria today?
what is the role of lawyers in Nigeria today?
No doubt, Nigeria is experiencing
pretty interesting times. Corruption has finally reached epic proportions as
stolen loot is now usually calculated in billions of naira and dollars.
Terrorism is threatening from the North-East, the protection of human rights
are not issues on the front burner, the rule of law is not sacrosanct and there
is a major lack of enforcement of legal rules, regulations and procedures. There
is a complete lack of accountability in government and the moral fabric of
society itself is falling apart at its seams.
pretty interesting times. Corruption has finally reached epic proportions as
stolen loot is now usually calculated in billions of naira and dollars.
Terrorism is threatening from the North-East, the protection of human rights
are not issues on the front burner, the rule of law is not sacrosanct and there
is a major lack of enforcement of legal rules, regulations and procedures. There
is a complete lack of accountability in government and the moral fabric of
society itself is falling apart at its seams.
The Nigerian Bar Association is
currently having its annual conference in Abuja, the country’s capital and many
of the issues raised above will certainly be on the lips and minds of many of
the participants. But rather than focus on personal briefs, buying private
jets, building vast partnerships and handling election petitions when will the
Nigerian lawyer recognize the role and responsibility awaiting him. When will
he realize that the downtrodden masses need him to come to their rescue, when
will he summon up the courage to challenge government on its policies which are
crippling us a people, when will he fight for reforms and march on the streets
in a bid to secure the rights of his fellow Nigerian whom faith has put in his
care.
currently having its annual conference in Abuja, the country’s capital and many
of the issues raised above will certainly be on the lips and minds of many of
the participants. But rather than focus on personal briefs, buying private
jets, building vast partnerships and handling election petitions when will the
Nigerian lawyer recognize the role and responsibility awaiting him. When will
he realize that the downtrodden masses need him to come to their rescue, when
will he summon up the courage to challenge government on its policies which are
crippling us a people, when will he fight for reforms and march on the streets
in a bid to secure the rights of his fellow Nigerian whom faith has put in his
care.
Maybe the revelation will come to
the Nigerian lawyer now and maybe not. However, if you are a lawyer reading
this blog or you know anyone who is a lawyer, ask them or yourself this
question, WHEN WILL YOU COME TO NIGERIA’S AID?
the Nigerian lawyer now and maybe not. However, if you are a lawyer reading
this blog or you know anyone who is a lawyer, ask them or yourself this
question, WHEN WILL YOU COME TO NIGERIA’S AID?
Adedunmade Onibokun Esq.
@adedunmade
Dunmadeo@yahoo.com