Makinde attends Ibadan NBA 70th anniversary, charges lawyers on real legal practice

Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Monday, called on young lawyers in Oyo state to learn a real legal practice from their leaders noting that the legal profession is not for rascality.

Speaking at the 70th anniversary of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), which was held in Iyaganku, Ibadan, Governor Makinde said that anyone who wishes to become an activist should make it simpler.

Represented by his Deputy, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, the Governor stated that the legal profession frequently draws hatred and hostility and advised young lawyers to be conscious of what they say in the public.

The Governor commended Chief Wole Olanipekun, the keynote speaker, for his excellent presentation, particularly on the need for lawyers to avoid hatred and envy. 

He noted that Ibadan is known for real law and legal practice calling on young lawyers in Nigeria to engage themselves in real legal practice rather than social media activism.

Barr. Lawal, who recounted how someone had enquired about his personality behind his back from Chief Olanipekun, however urged lawyers to be very careful in maligning people.

He said: “Young lawyers should not debase the legal profession. It is not good to pollute the well you intend to tap water to drink. We must be very careful maligning and blackmailing people. 

“So, finally, We must congratulate all of us on this 70th anniversary.”

 Earlier in his keynote address, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wole Olanipekun, who spoke on a topic, “Ibadan Bar’s Platinum Jubilee: An Interrogation Of The Premiership Of The Premier Bar”, said the historic antecedents of the ancient city of Ibadan in the scheme of legal alfairs, plays a very crucial role in the current outlook of the branch that has now become known as the premier bar. 

According to him; “By the time we take a voyage to the days of yore and stroll to the non Mr-too-distant past, all within the perimeter of law, you would come to appreciate, that the moniker, Premier Bar adopted by the branch, is not just a sobriquet or one that was chanced at. 

“It is indeed a reflection of the status of the branch, having continually set the pace, in the legal profession, for ages. Ibadan Bar’s story is indeed one of a practical elocution of the age long Yoruba aphorism: Ajise bi Oyo L’aari Oyo Ose bi baba enikookan.”

Olanipekun who noted that Ibadan deservedly was the third bar whose representative sat for many years in a legal practitioners committee established in 1958 where Lagos and Calabar also got a slot emphasizing that Ibadan has always been a city of history. 

He said that Ibadan bar became the first town outside of Lagos to host the annual General Conference (ACG) of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) from 1959 when the first conference was held at St. George’s Hall on broad street, Lagos. 

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria noted that Ibadan Bar has always been an incubator for producing legal luminaries who have distinguished themselves for national service.

He added that lawyers are supporting rule of laws and should not be killed, noting that the profession today faces both intrinsic and extrinsic dangers and persecution, hostilities from within and without, unnecessary tirades from the Bar to the Bench and Vice versa. 

While appealing to members of the Bar to stop attacking judges, whether in the media, be it social or conventional, Olanipekun admonished lawyers to stop rushing to the media, including television houses to comment on proceedings and decisions of our courts which they are not privy to or which they don’t even have knowledge of, to stop such attitude. 

He urged lawyers not to lose their humanity and should not rejoice in the downfall of anyone, stating that if people engages themselves in fight, there must be the need to exercise caution and shun enviness.

“I am using this opportunity to plead to act nobly, in and out of court; behave honorably in your dealings with your colleagues and clients, as well as with the Bench. Do not engage in strife, blackmail, mudslinging, campaign of calumny, treachery, or any attempt to pull anyone down. Flee from envy like a plague, for envy breeds hatred and unjustified contempt for others. 

“Appreciate your colleagues and peers, as well as senior members of the profession who have received God’s benevolence and pray that your own time will come.”

She stated that after completing her school certificate exams in 1974, she wanted to practise law. She recalled the degree of discipline among the members of the Ibadan branch and mentioned that her first point of contact was at Iyamopo High Court, where she was assigned to the law library and had the opportunity to engage with numerous lawyers.

 In her address, the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Iyabo Yerima, who felicitated with the Nigeria Bar Association, on its 70th anniversary, stated that after completing her school certificate exams in 1974, she wanted to practise law.

She recalled the degree of discipline among the members of the Ibadan branch and mentioned that her first point of contact was at Iyamopo High Court, where she was assigned to the law library and had the opportunity to engage with numerous lawyers. 

She equally emphasized that the level of discipline and decorum was remarkable in those days, and that the grandeur of Iyaganku would return. 

“I just hope that the decorum would be restored in the Nigeria Bar Association in Ibadan branch and we would love to see a change.

“The glory that people experience in the 70th, I wish it could come back. I wish you many more years celebration.” 

The event was attended by Nigeria Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi; Mama Folake Solanke; Niyi Akintola, Alhaji Yusuf Ali; FIRS Boss, Zacheus Adelabu; Ahmed Raji, and host of others.