Buhari Asks Lawyers To Improve Sanctity, Integrity Of The Judiciary

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on lawyers across the country to sustain the integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system.

The President made the call on Sunday while declaring open the 58th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

President Buhari urged the legal practitioners to ensure they work for the peaceful coexistence of the citizens, especially as the nation prepares for the 2019 general elections.

He also asked them to join forces with the government in tackling the security challenges facing the nation, stressing that those practicing the law can only enjoy doing so when the country is at peace.

The President said, “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.”

“However, let me remind you all, my dear compatriots, that the law can only be optimally practiced in a Nigeria that is safe, secure and prosperous. As you go into this Annual Conference, let me assure you of the resolve of this administration to promote measures that will achieve a vibrant economy under which the practice of law will thrive,” he added.

President Buhari disclosed that the first challenge of his administration was to transform Nigeria speedily into a society where impunity in the management of national resources would be replaced with a culture of accountability and transparency.

According to him, the government had to deploy its resources to address the common needs of the people rather than the greed of a callous few.

In order to achieve this, the President said his administration had to disrupt the “age-old assumptions and unsettle ancient norms in the management of national patrimony.”

He congratulated the incoming NBA leadership led by Mr Paul Usoro (SAN) and wished them a successful tenure in the task of advancing legal practice in the country.

President Buhari also thanked the lawyers for the invitation to declare the conference open and congratulated them on the attendance of over 10,000 participants at the event, saying it represented one of the largest single gathering of lawyers anywhere in the world.