Bayelsa Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has raised significant concerns about the declining integrity and relevance of the legal profession in Nigeria.
During a courtesy visit by members of the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), Niger Delta University (NDU) Chapter, he highlighted the troubling unprofessional conduct observed among some legal practitioners in the bar and the bench.
Ewhrudjakpo pointed out that the legal profession, once regarded with high esteem, is increasingly losing its value within the Nigerian context.
He referenced recent court rulings and judgments, emphasising the integrity of the legal system has deteriorated to the point that it no longer serves as a beacon of hope for the average citizen, as it once did.
He said the situation called for reflection and action within the legal community to restore trust and professionalism in the judiciary, ensuring the rule of law and justice remain paramount in Nigeria.
Ewhrudjakpo decried what he called “forum shopping” being indulged in by many practising lawyers, who institute cases only in courts where they can easily obtain favourable judgement by all means for their clients.
He stated: “The legal profession has lost its value because of the conduct and attitude of the Bar and Bench. Today, most lawyers do a lot of forum shopping to get favourable judgements from judges in different divisions of the courts.
“It is really unfortunate that the real legal profession is dying and fading away. The judiciary itself has become so corrupt; it has become so unfortunate. I am afraid the judiciary is no longer the hope of the common man.”
While encouraging the law students to strive to be different from those who had soiled the integrity and reputation of the legal profession, the Deputy Governor charged them to carve a niche for themselves by exploring new areas to make a positive impact.
Responding to their demands, Senator Ewhrudjakpo promised that government would address the issue of the broken down generator at the campus of the Law Faculty in Yenagoa in no distant time.
He mooted the idea of installing a solar farm to sufficiently tackle the power supply challenge in the institution and assured them of supporting their LAWSAN Week activities.