By; BALA B. BITRUS, Minna.
Governor of Niger state, Alhaji Sani Bello has called on the newly elected executive members of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) to work towards restoring the confidence Nigerians have on the judiciary by evolving ways of eliminating corruption amongst lawyers, including undue delays in dispensation of justice.
Alhaji Mahmoud Abubakar (SAN) from Kano State emerged the 33rd President of the NBA in a keenly contested election that saw him defeat his closest rival, Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN).
Striving for excellence, working out ways that would bring about effectiveness and eliminating unnecessary delays in prosecuting and executing justice in Nigeria should be the watchword of the Bar said Governor Bello while charging the new NBA leadership.
He said the NBA as the body of elite lawyers has the capacity to impress on its members to be upright in their dealings to ensure quick dispensation of justice and not seeking for avoidable, frivolous adjournments and interlocutory injunctions in cases they are handling.
Governor Bello in a congratulatory message to the new national leadership of the NBA, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Jibrin Ndace noted with concern the antics of some lawyers, Judges and Magistrates who aid and abate corruption with active connivance of the Police in delaying cases in courts.
The Mahmoud Abubakar (SAN) led NBA came at a time they are expected to bring inputs that would positively contribute to the change agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government and bring about rapid transformation.
Apparently reacting to series of case adjournments, including cases involving rapists and congestion of prisons due to series of case adjournments, Governor Bello said he is optimistic that with the new NBA leadership, there is hope in checking some of the injustices.
Describing the election conducted through e-voting as unprecedented, Governor Bello commended Nigerian lawyers for not only being exemplary but exhibiting high sense of maturity throughout the process that saw the emergence of the former Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as winner.
Sani Bello also reminded the new national officers of the NBA on the need to build on the achievements of their predecessors and to collaborate with all relevant electoral bodies, governments and stakeholders to ensure sustainable sanity and development of Nigeria’s electoral processes.
The Governor nevertheless expressed his appreciation to the nation’s entire judiciary for ensuring that the rights and privileges of the citizenry were protected, describing Nigerian judiciary as one of the best in the world.
