The Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has charged lawyers in Nigeria to engage global best practices and ensure that justice gets to the most vulnerable people in the society.
The Governor who gave the charge at The ADDREX Hotel, Aba while declaring open the 2019 annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association – Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) with the theme “Lawyering in the public interest,” noted that public interest lawyers are expected to save lives and protect fundamental rights of the people, especially the poor and vulnerable groups in the society.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir. Ude Oko Chukwu, the Governor commended the foresight of the NBA in inaugurating SPIDEL as the Association’s commitment to promoting the rule of law and growth of public interest law in Nigeria and noted that promoting the idea of pro Bono legal services for those who need them is commendable.
He expressed hope that the conference would provide an opportunity for the members to brainstorm and share ideas aimed at enhancing their performance in serving the public, adding that the outcome would equip them to contain with the challenges of the profession effectively.
Governor Ikpeazu, who thanked the organizers for choosing Abia as the hosting State reassured the NBA of his commitment to partnering her for the common good of the people and wished them fruitful deliberations.
In his address, President, Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN) stated that the value NBA – SPIDEL has to offer to lawyers and the public at large cannot be over emphasized. According to him, the theme “Lawyering in the Public Interest” is timely, considering the challenges the nation faces today, which include incessant kidnapping, violation of human rights by security agencies, mismanagement of public funds among others and described public interest lawyering as a process of legal empowerment aimed at capacity building of everyday people towards using the law and institutions to bring about social change. He said that lawyers have key roles to play in matters of public interest , saying it is a core drive of economic development in a nation.
In his speech, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) representated by his Special Assistant on Anti Corruption, Biodiun Aikomo said that the conference is a sign that NBA is committed to using the law as an instrument for economic development.
He said the conference is an opportunity for lawyers to reinvigorate themselves in ensuring that rule of the law prevails, adding that Nigeria is in dire need of eliminating corruption.
Speaking, President, Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN) stated that the value NBA – SPIDEL has to offer to lawyers and the public at large cannot be over emphasized. According to him, the theme “Lawyering in the public interest” is appropriate, considering the challenges the nation faces today, which include incessant kidnapping, violation of human rights by security agencies, mismanagement of public funds among others and described public interest lawyering as a process of legal empowerment aimed at capacity building of everyday people towards using the law and institutions to bring about social change. He said that lawyers have key roles to play in matters of public interest , saying it is a core drive of economic development in a nation.
He thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his magnanimity which made them to host the programme in Abia State as well as appreciated the Governor for appointing their lawyers in his cabinet.
In their separate speeches, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Elder Chibuike Nwokeukwu, SAN and Chairman, NBA-Section on Public Interest & Development Law (SPIDEL), Elder (Dr) Paul Analaba, SAN, the essence of the conference is to appraise, review , discuss and chart a new cause about how NBA as the leading Civil Society in Nigeria should serve the people.
They thanked the Governor for the opportunity of hosting the programme with short notice and providing adequate security for the participants.
The conference which would last four days has participants drawn from all over Nigeria including the Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice of Abia State, Barr. Uche Ihediwa among other lawyers in the State.