When will NBA , Judiciary allow poor, vulnerable legal access to Justice ?

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held held it’s 65th annual General Conference in Enugu last week with the theme: “Stand Out, Stand Tall”.and rounded it up with a communique on Monday. But day the masses expectations that NBA an elites association of lawyers will provide them relief is still yet to come .

The President Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, in his opening address emphasizes the importance of excellence and bravery in the legal profession, particularly in defending the rule of law, equity, justice and other areas that if properly address would raise the standard of our society..

He stressed the need for lawyers to embody these values in the face of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.

Indeed, at one of the fora during the conference in which over 20,000 participants were in attendance, a question very important to Nigerian socio- economic challenges was raised at a session .

That session featured the Minister of interior Olubunmi Tunji – Ojo whose ministry oversee Nigerian Immigration Service , Nigerian Correctional Centre, Fire Service . The panelists also includes distinguished personalities. Gabriel Okeowo, Dr. oby Ezekwesili ,and George Etomi .

They discussed Nigeria’s Economic trajectory and governance challenges.The moderator of the lively plenary session titled :” the Economy stupid” Seun Akinbaloye who is the Political Editor and host of Politics Today and Sunday Politics on Channel Television raised a question. “Is Nigeria better than two years ago?”

This striking question was directed at the audience of legal professionals .” Is Nigeria better than it was two years ago?” The response was immediate and emphatic responding ” No ” met the applause .

Follow up questions on whether the country is on the right track with current policies and whether the administration is touch with national realities drew similar negative reaction reflecting widespread dissatisfaction among the audience.

A viral video from the session captured candid feedback igniting discussion a cross media platforms as analyst on Àrise News weighed in, interpreting the lawyers responded as a reflection of broader public sentiment.

Dr. Reuben Abati an Arise television Morning show anchor chief noted that Nigerian at home and in the diaspora, are acutely aware of the country economic hardships, citing the rise in the basic food prices – for example a tuber of yam costing 5,000 Naira compared to 1000 Naira previously. He urged the government to implement safety net for vulnerable citizens while warning against that simplistic or leaving questions that could obscure the nuances of complex issues.

Rufia Oseni another Arise television anchor man criticized the government optimistic narrative highlighting discrepancies between official claims to and lived realities. He argued that reforms , while promoted as progressive, have increased prices and worsened poverty. Oseni called for positive practical interventions, including boosting agricultural production and addressing supply chain inefficiencies, rather than relying on rhetoric .

Though, Mazi Afam Osigwe alluded to the NBA annual Conference seeking to provide solutions to Nigeria socio – economic and governance challenges in his opening remark, the communique issued at the end of the conference merely talked about it’s pledges to assist initiate reforms of the country legal system.

NBA called for the modernisation of the legal system to enhance access to justice and align with global standards. This call rest partially on the shadower of the NBA .because functionaries of key decision making establishments that make up the judiciary are lawyers and members of NBA.

If sincerely, NBA want to address the issue patterning to “Access to Justice” and the expressed public concerns that our court system had drifted to a point where justice is for the highest bidders, as raised by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, who also stressed the importance of making justice accessible to all, not just the privileged. NBA must take urgent actions to re-address the abnormal happenings that are making Nigerians to abandon the courts.

The consequences of fortifying barriers that are preventing the poor and vulnerable who constitutes over 90 percent of the population from accessing legal redress are enormous.

It would be of immense benefits to all, if the government at all levels and NBA sincerely promote affordable litigation, stronger legal aid, and expand Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Let us heel the warning that “when justice becomes a commodity, the poor suffer while the rich evade accountability.”

One of the main causes of poverty in Nigeria a country blessed with abundant natural resource and labour is corruption, Corruption has eaten deep over the decades into the society , crippled the economy and rendered the poor helpless.

On it’s part, NBA condemned financial crimes, such as money laundering, terrorism financing, and indeed corruption in all its ramifications, saying Nigerians and their leaders must stand against “dirty money.”

“Lawyers are reminded of their duty to carry out due diligence in financial transactions and to report suspicious activities involving clients,” the association stated. .

Well meaning Nigerians hope all lawyers could help in this direction and the result of their collective compliance on this issue of corruption would be drastically reduced.