Direct Your Energies At Fighting Injustice, Odili Tells 1,097 New Lawyers

Retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BOB), Justice Mary Odili, has advised lawyers to direct their energies at fighting injustice in the country.

Justice Odili spoke yesterday in Abuja at the Call-to-Bar ceremony organised by the BOB for 1,097 new lawyers.

She reminded the new lawyers that by their professional calling, they are uniquely positioned to provide world-changing, life-changing and view-shaping services to the society.

Justice Odili added: “As lawyers, you have the capacity to change the world, whether you go into private practice, government service, to put up a business, or whatever your heart leads you to do.

“Your law degrees and Call to Bar certificates are not just pieces of documents you will hang on your wall or boast with to others. These are credentials that you can wield as your sword to fight injustice.

“They are shields that you can raise up to protect the innocent and uphold the rule of law. As lawyers, you have the capacity to change the world for the better.

“Wherever you decide to apply your talent as a lawyer, you will be required to act with utmost professionalism and wisdom as your legal advice, your professional actions, and even your inactions affect the lives of your clients and the society at large.

“In your service as a legal practitioner, you must not forget to put into practice the ethical and moral obligations of a lawyer that has been imbibed in you by being civil and ethical.”

The eminent jurist urged the new wigs to always be guided by the rules of professional conduct, warning that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has the power to de-robe any lawyer found to have acted unprofessionally.

She said: “Having a mentor will greatly assist you in moulding your career and position you effectively to help in maintaining confidence in the justice delivery system.”

The Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma said the new wigs were found worthy in academic performance, moral, and ethical standard, hence, their presentation to the BOB for the Call to Bar and inauguration as legal practitioners.

Dignitaries at the event included the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); immediate past Chairman of the BOB, Wole Olanipekun (SAN); BOB’s Vice Chairman, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN); and Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN).