Agabi explains why lawyers defend corrupt persons, criminals
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) on Wednesday gave reasons why lawyers in the country are bound to defend suspected corrupt politicians and criminals charged to courts.
Agabi made the remarks at the commissioning of an ultra -modern chamber built by Mahmud and Company Law firm as its office in Abuja.
According to him, lawyers are bound by professional duty to defend even those they believe to be guilty.
“People cannot understand why we defend crime or criminals. People wonder whether we serve the true ends of justice when we successfully defend those accused of criminal offences.
“What are we to do when called upon to defend those who are stigmatised as corrupt or who have come under suspicion and have been charged to court?
“Because the constitution presumes all accused persons to be innocent until proven guilty, we are not allowed to condemn them until a court of competent jurisdiction has done so.
“We are not judges; we are lawyers. And what a dreadful day for the nation if we were to take upon ourselves to condemn people and to refuse to defend them on the ground of our conviction that they are guilty even before they are tried,” the former minister said.
Agabi however, said that it is disheartening that lawyers have come under justifiable suspicion of aiding and facilitating the corruption that now threatens the very foundation of the nation.
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“The question that every lawyer must ask himself now is whether he or she is using the knowledge for the benefit of the country and his fellow man or woman.
“If we are not able to use our knowledge and learning for the benefit of the nation and fellow citizens, then we should give up our books and take to other professions,” he said.
President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, who represented the Chief Justice, Justice Tanko Muhammad, commended Mahmud Magaji (SAN) for his efforst.
Earlier, Magaji said the ultra -modern chamber was part of his contribution to law practice in the country. He said he was motivated by first-class chambers in the UK, the US, among others and decided to replicate same in Abuja.
