Let national interest, security rather than rule of law guide your conduct, Buhari tells lawyers

‎President Muhammadu Buhari has said that rule of law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest to ensure peace in the country.

The President, who stated this on Sunday while declaring open the 58th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in Abuja with a theme titled: “Transition, Transformation and Sustainable Institutions,” noted that the apex court has had cause to adopt a position on this issue in this regard.

He stressed that the rule of law can only be optimally practice in a peaceful environment, hence lawyers and all Nigerians must contribute to the achievement of peace and security in the country.

The President was emphatic that the “Rule of Law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest”, adding that, “where national security and public interest are threatened or there is a likelihood of their being threatened, the individual rights of those allegedly responsible must take second place, in favour of the greater good of society”.

He commended the association for its theme, “Transition, Transformation and Sustainable Institutions”, which he said is not only apt in the light of the contemporary domestic and global challenges faced today,

but a demonstration of “the willingness of the NBA to address issues, not only related to the immediate practice of law but more importantly, to solutions of wider society’s problems”.

Buhari also disclosed that his government has taken various measures to bring about speedy transformation of the Nigerian nation, both economically and otherwise but its efforts is being hindered by the activities of some few individuals he claimed are highly corrupt.

Buhari said, “While we have made appreciable progress in several sectors, including public awareness of the need to challenge the corrupt and the brazen in our midst, we have also learnt useful lessons on the dynamism of our society.

However, elements within every society, including some lawyers, can equally become unduly resistant to change, even where it is proven that such change is to serve the interest of the larger society. At worst, corruption fights back.

“As we gradually move into another season of intense political activities preparatory to the 2019 General Elections, I enjoin you to remember that by reason of your profession, you all have a responsibility to work for national cohesion and unity through your speeches and public positions and most importantly in your advocacy in court.

“In the context of opinions and narratives about our past and present political and socio-economic experience, you cannot afford to jettison rational and proper analysis of issues in a manner which builds, rather than destroys the nation.

“I also urge you to work to uphold and improve the sanctity and integrity of our judicial and electoral institutions which play a fundamental role in the sustenance and growth of our democracy”, he added.

In his speech, the ‎Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, called for the independence of the judiciary which he said is relevant to the sustenance of the nation’s democracy.

He said, “With the independence of the Judiciary, it can be bold to play its role without fear or favour”.

He called on politicians to ‎conduct themselves lawfully so as not to endanger the peace and stability of the country.

The outgoing President of the NBA, Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, said‎ the NBA remains deeply concerned that our transformative journey to a stable prosperous country remains hampered by the absence of strong accountable and sustainable institutions.

He said, “We are convinced that our huge potentials either as a country or as a continent, cannot not be unleashed until we overcome the challenge of institution building.

Rule of Law and Democracy can only be guaranteed or anchored on strong institutions built on clear, fair and transparent processes with predictable outcomes”.