.. Body of SAN reflects on the challenges of the bar and bench
By Emmanuel Abi Couson
Delta State State Chief Judge Justice T O DIAI Governor, said that nothing can surpass the eternal gains of living quality and exemplary life because it leaves enduring but positive impact on society.
He advised people to spend more time in endeavours that contribute to advancing society, help individuals and promote peace at all times.
The Chief judge who gave the charge at the special court session in honour late Magnus Egin Atie Esq held at the High Court of Justice Warri Delta State on Friday 29th November2024.
Represented by Justice P. O Onajite-Kuejubola, he said “in recognition of the lofty heights attained by the deceased as an taccomplished legal practitioner and in line with the established tradition of the Bar, a Special Court Session in his honour is not only appropriate and deserving but also an opportunity for members of the legal profession to pay special tribute to him for being a worthy ambassador of the Bar”
The CJ said the late legal icon lived an impactful life which is worthy of emulation.
Also speaking at the ocassion the Body of Senior Advocate of Nigeria ( BOSAN) while conveying their condolences to the family noted that the The late Atie lived a good life.
” My noble Lord, it is the convention that we use ocassions like this to do a sober reflection of the challenges, travail, victories and failures of the bar and bench. We therfore, crave my noble lord indulgence in this regard. We admonish not necessarily to cast aspersion and apportion blames but more importantly to enable us to do better in our shared responsibility for a better and just society”
BOSAN reminded the lawyers of Article 1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct( RPC) 2023 that provides ” A lawyer shall uphold and observe the rule of law, promote and foster the cause of justice, maintain a high standard of professional conduct and shall not engage in any conduct which is unbecoming of a legal practitioner” Article 30 of the RPC also provides that “A lawyer is a officer of the court and accordingly he shall not do any act or conduct himself in any manner that my obstruct, delay or adversely affect the administration of justice”
Continuing BOSAN said “Article 31(1) of the RPC provides further that” A lawyer shall always treat the court with respect, dignity and honour ” Order 31(2) states that “Where a lawyer has a proper ground for complaint against a judicial officer, he shall make his complaint to the appropriate authority”
However, ” My Lord what we now see is more breach of the provisions of the RPC, than compliance. Ethics and professionalism at the bar is now at an all-time low. Mutual respect by colleagues at the bar has waned, ditto trust amongst colleagues. Young lawyers now find it difficult to give up their seats in court for their senior colleagues. Sadly, some also lawyers do not see anything wrong in exchanging words with judicial officers in the open court while in the full glare of members of.the public.At times we give funny reasons just to have our cases adjourned.
When lawyers deliberately file processes or delay to respond to processes, just to obstruct or delay the cause of justice, that is professional misconduct. These are acts that constitute violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct and such lawyers for prosecution before the Legal Prractitioners’ Disciplinary Committee.”
The late Magnus Atie was born at Obodo town of Warri South Local Government of Delta State on the 23rd March 1945 and slept with the Lord 21st June 2024. He survived by many children amongst them is Barrister Jemide Atie, Tosan Atie, a journist with The Pointer Newspaper, publication of Delta State.
