NBA CONFERENCE 2024: Tinubu Pledges To Uphold Rule Of Law, Embrace Dissenting Opinions

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to uphold the rule of law, respect the principles of separation of powers, and tolerate dissenting opinions within the bounds of Nigeria’s legal framework. He emphasized that his administration has made consistent progress in rebuilding the nation through legal and judicial reforms.

Speaking at the annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos, Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to these principles. He praised the NBA’s history of championing democratic ideals and promoting the rule of law.

Tinubu called on Nigerian lawyers and citizens to collaborate with his administration to achieve the nation’s aspirations, stressing that the country cannot continue on its past trajectory if it hopes to achieve sustainable development. He acknowledged that while necessary reforms might be challenging, they are essential for the nation’s future, and assured that his administration’s policies would soon bring relief to Nigerians.

The president also expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for its role in sustaining good governance and democracy, particularly its recent ruling granting financial autonomy to local government councils, which he believes will spur grassroots development. He reiterated his commitment to prioritizing the welfare of the judiciary, highlighting efforts such as the signing of the Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Act 2024, which increased judicial officers’ remuneration by 300%, and plans for the construction of a permanent edifice for the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.

Tinubu also lauded the NBA for choosing the theme “Pressing Forward: A National Posture for Rebuilding Nigeria” for this year’s conference, commending the association for its role in driving reforms that stimulate economic growth and development.

In her keynote address titled “A Social Contract for Nigeria’s Future,” Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, emphasized the need to accelerate national growth and development, asserting that Nigeria has all the resources necessary to succeed. She lamented the country’s slow progress over the past 60 years and called for strong macroeconomic reforms and policy consistency, urging the NBA to play a role in achieving a new social contract for the nation.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, highlighted his administration’s focus on security and noted that Lagos has the highest number of female judicial officers in the country. He urged the judiciary to strengthen the electoral process and assured that Lagos was committed to the social contract, stating that he had not taken funds from local government treasuries during his tenure.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, reported significant progress in justice sector reforms, including a collaborative National Justice Summit involving the Federal Ministry of Justice, the National Judicial Council, and the NBA. He highlighted the administration’s approval of better salaries and allowances for judicial officers but emphasized that further efforts were needed to strengthen the judiciary’s capacity.

Human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, challenged Nigerian lawyers to take decisive action to end illegal arrests and detentions by law enforcement agencies. He called on the NBA to implement mechanisms for enforcing the Administration of Police Establishment Act and the Criminal Justice Act, urging the Human Rights Committees of the NBA’s branches to accompany Chief Magistrates on their monthly visits to police stations.

NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, in his welcome address, assured the gathering that the Bar would continue to work for justice in Nigeria. He emphasized the Bar’s role as a symbol of freedom and urged lawyers to perform their duties with integrity and dedication while rejecting corruption at all levels.