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| Credits- Google |
I
heard the news that a very senior lawyer, Kunle kalejaiye (SAN) had his name
struck off the roll for unprofessional conduct. As a lawyer, I feel for him
because I can’t imagine putting in all that work and effort into building a
career in the legal profession, getting to the height of the profession and the
inner bar and losing everything in one swoop. Like a friend mentioned to me
last night, it’s surely synonymous to death.
heard the news that a very senior lawyer, Kunle kalejaiye (SAN) had his name
struck off the roll for unprofessional conduct. As a lawyer, I feel for him
because I can’t imagine putting in all that work and effort into building a
career in the legal profession, getting to the height of the profession and the
inner bar and losing everything in one swoop. Like a friend mentioned to me
last night, it’s surely synonymous to death.
Mr
Kalejaiye was disbarred by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee
(LPDC) following an investigation into an allegation that Mr. Kalejaiye engaged
in “confidential and private telephone conversations with the Chairman of an
election petition tribunal, Justice Thomas Naron without the knowledge of other
counsels in the matter.
Kalejaiye was disbarred by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee
(LPDC) following an investigation into an allegation that Mr. Kalejaiye engaged
in “confidential and private telephone conversations with the Chairman of an
election petition tribunal, Justice Thomas Naron without the knowledge of other
counsels in the matter.
I
am writing this piece as an admonishment to other practising lawyers, most
especially the young lawyers who are still cutting their teeth in this
profession. I know a young lawyer’s pay is not so encouraging sometimes but
that must not lead one to partake in unscrupulous and nefarious activities as a
lawyer. A lawyer’s reputation is very important and must be guarded jealously.
No point making a few bucks from a client and losing your license to practise
or having to face disciplinary procedures. It is wise never to allow a client
influence your principles, remember that you are a priest in the temple of
justice.
am writing this piece as an admonishment to other practising lawyers, most
especially the young lawyers who are still cutting their teeth in this
profession. I know a young lawyer’s pay is not so encouraging sometimes but
that must not lead one to partake in unscrupulous and nefarious activities as a
lawyer. A lawyer’s reputation is very important and must be guarded jealously.
No point making a few bucks from a client and losing your license to practise
or having to face disciplinary procedures. It is wise never to allow a client
influence your principles, remember that you are a priest in the temple of
justice.
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| Credits – Google |
Allow
me leave you with the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act as it relates
to penalties for unprofessional conduct. It states in Section 11(1) of the LPA
that –
me leave you with the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act as it relates
to penalties for unprofessional conduct. It states in Section 11(1) of the LPA
that –
(1)
Where –
Where –
(a)
A person whose name is
on the roll is judged by the Disciplinary Committee to be guilty of infamous
conduct in an y professional respect; or
A person whose name is
on the roll is judged by the Disciplinary Committee to be guilty of infamous
conduct in an y professional respect; or
(b)
A person whose name is
on the roll is convicted, by any court in Nigeria having power to award
imprisonment, of an offence (whether or not an offence punishable with
imprisonment) which in the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee is
incompatible with the status of a legal practitioner; or
A person whose name is
on the roll is convicted, by any court in Nigeria having power to award
imprisonment, of an offence (whether or not an offence punishable with
imprisonment) which in the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee is
incompatible with the status of a legal practitioner; or
(c)
The Disciplinary
Committee is satisfied that the name of any person has been fraudulently
enrolled,
The Disciplinary
Committee is satisfied that the name of any person has been fraudulently
enrolled,
The
Disciplinary Committee, may, it if thinks fit,give a direction –
Disciplinary Committee, may, it if thinks fit,give a direction –
i.
Ordering the Registrar
to strike that person’s name off the roll; or
Ordering the Registrar
to strike that person’s name off the roll; or
ii.
Suspending that person
from practice by ordering him not to engage in practice as a legal practitioner
for such period as may be specified in the direction; or
Suspending that person
from practice by ordering him not to engage in practice as a legal practitioner
for such period as may be specified in the direction; or
iii.
Admonishing that person,
Admonishing that person,
And
any such direction may, where appropriate, include provision requiring the
refund of monies paid or the handing over of documents or any other thing as
the circumstances of the case will require.
any such direction may, where appropriate, include provision requiring the
refund of monies paid or the handing over of documents or any other thing as
the circumstances of the case will require.
Adedunmade
Onibokun
Onibokun
@adedunmade