Nigerian Bar Association to probe Code of Conduct Tribunal walkout by Saraki's lawyers

NIGERIAN Bar Association (NBA) officials have said they would investigate the action of the senior counsel who represented the senate president Senator Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) after it was revealed that he threatened to pull out of proceedings.

 

On Thursday, Senator Saraki's lawyers Mahmud Magaji and Ahmed Raji, had withdrawn their services at his trial on allegations of false asset declaration before the tribunal. They staged a walkout with the junior lawyers who appeared with them before the tribunal, expressing their perceived dissatisfaction with the ruling of the tribunal on their application for a stay of proceedings.

 

Apparently, they were displeased with the decision of the tribunal refusing the application to stay proceeding in the trial pending the determination of an appeal they filed before the Supreme Court. They had applied to the tribunal to stay proceedings in the trial pending the decision of the apex court but its president Justice Danladi Umar, upheld the argument of the prosecution that staying proceeding would hamper speedy trial.

 

Deciding to investigate the walkout, the NBA has decided to ascertain facts of what transpired at the tribunal before taking a position. NBA general secretary, Afam Osigwe, said the association would try to find out exactly what went on rather than act on the basis of media reports.

 

Mr Osigwe said: “We got different accounts in the media and would need the correct details to allow the NBA to react from an informed position. From the accounts we got through the media some said the lawyers walked out while others said they withdrew, so, due to the inconsistent choice of words, we cannot speak on the matter until we get the full and accurate details."

 

A cross section of lawyers in Abuja has condemned the walkout by the senior counsel, describing it as a disgrace to the bar. Some of the lawyers said the action of the lawyers was unethical, while some blamed the judge for not taking appropriate action to charge them for contempt.

 

One of the legal practitioners Nnanna Oketa, said young lawyers were highly disappointed with the conduct of the senior advocates, adding that the action was more political than judicial. He stressed that lawyers and citizens alike must be properly guided by the rules of court in their conduct before the court and a judge.

 

“The truth is that what transpired yesterday at the Code of Conduct Tribunal is to say the least degrading of our profession, it was terrible and should not be associated with lawyers at all. Lawyers are expected to conduct themselves appropriately with the highest level of decorum when they are in court," Mr Oketa added.

 

Another legal practitioner, Anthony Ekuma, said the action of the senior lawyers was most unruly. He added that what they did is a violation of Section 30 of the Rules for Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007 as amended.