Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), Wednesday lamented a decline in the ethical standards of the legal profession.

Adoke in his address at the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN)  on 25 lawyers in Abuja, said lawyers were beginning to see the rank of SAN as a licence to command fat fees.

He reiterated his earlier call on the need to reclaim judicial practice in Nigeria by showing the ‘bad eggs’ among them the way out of the profession.
He said: “Today’s ceremony affords us yet another opportunity to reflect in the true significance of the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria. In popular discourse within and outside the profession, there is a palpable feeling and perception that the rank is a passport to fame, personal riches and comfort.

“To others, the rank is a licence to command fat fees, open doors and prominence bordering sometimes on arrogance. It is a matter of regret that these negative perceptions of the rank have engendered resentment from our colleagues who are yet to be similarly recoganised and honored.”

Addressing the new SANs and leadership of the bar, Adoke added: “As Senior Advocates of Nigeria, you owe a duty and responsibility to the profession and the country. As leaders of the bar, you must conduct yourselves in a manner befitting of the rank. You are expected to demonstrate high ethical standards, integrity and professionalism in all your dealings. Anything short of this high expectation will be a disservice to your status and a betrayal of the trust and responsibility reposed in you.”

Speaking on the unethical practices among lawyers, Adoke said “permit me to use this auspicious occasion to draw attention to some of the challenges facing our profession, chiefly amongst which is the declining ethical standards and discipline at the bar. It is a matter of deep regret that lawyers including some Senior Advocates routinely engage in unwholesome practice unbecoming of members of this noble profession.

“Today lawyers are accused of deliberately misleading clients on the strengths of their cases with a view to appropriating unearned professional fees; tampering with client’s money; criticising judges in the media even where it is clear that they have not read their judgments in order to determine the reasoning of the court and commenting on matters that are sub-juice. These are matters that were completely unheard in the profession some few years back and where such misconduct was reported, it drew condemnation and appropriate sanctions.  You will recall that at our recently concluded bar conference, I stressed the need for us to reclaim our profession and to show the bad eggs amongst us the way out of the profession. I wish to reiterate that call again and to urge the leadership of the bar to out the issue of professional ethics and discipline on the front banner.” he stated.

He also called on lawyers and judicial workers to encourage dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes in their various communities as opinion leaders in the current face of insecurity in the country.

Speaking on the unethical practices among lawyers, Adoke said “permit me to use this auspicious occasion to draw attention to some of the challenges facing our profession, chiefly amongst which is the declining ethical standards and discipline at the bar. It is a matter of deep regret that lawyers including some Senior Advocates routinely engage in unwholesome practice unbecoming of members of this noble profession.

“Today lawyers are accused of deliberately misleading clients on the strengths of their cases with a view to appropriating unearned professional fees; tampering with client’s money; criticising judges in the media even where it is clear that they have not read their judgments in order to determine the reasoning of the court and commenting on matters that are sub-juice. These are matters that were completely unheard in the profession some few years back and where such misconduct was reported, it drew condemnation and appropriate sanctions.  You will recall that at our recently concluded bar conference, I stressed the need for us to reclaim our profession and to show the bad eggs amongst us the way out of the profession. I wish to reiterate that call again and to urge the leadership of the bar to out the issue of professional ethics and discipline on the front banner.” he stated.

He also called on lawyers and judicial workers to encourage dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes in their various communities as opinion leaders in the current face of insecurity in the country.