By Kayode Adeoti
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has urged legal practitioners to defend the nation’s democracy at tribunals in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
Saraki made the call during the annual dinner/award night of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch at the Banquet hall, Ilorin on Saturday.
Saraki who was represented by former speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed stressed that lawyers must strive to ensure that principle of separation of power among the arms of government is enhanced.
He added that the three arms of government must work independently in order to ensure good governance in Nigeria.
“The 2019 general elections is fast approaching and lawyers must play their parts to sustain this democracy and governance. Because before and after the poll, there are always legal issues and in order to have accountable governance, the principle of separation of powers must be effected. This means, in the administration of justice, the judiciary must act independently.
“There must be separation of power among the three arms of government, Judiciary, executive and legislature. When confronted with disputes, crisis that may arise at the tribunal, Nigerians are counting you as defenders of the democracy.
“We need lawyers to help us fast track the process of bringing development to Nigeria and for catering for the welfare of the people as well as eradicating poverty. As lawyer, you must stand to uphold the rule of law and be champion of fundamental human rights. The former lawmaker said.
While speaking after the event, the chairman of the NBA, Muhammed Idowu Akande expressed joy over the success of the dinner saying it was the major event his tenure will organised and it was a success.
Akande also congratulates the awardees adding that they’ve contributed to the development of the legal sector in the state to merit the honours.
In the same vein, Akande charged his colleagues to always be prompt to time at all event and jettison what he described as ‘syndrome of African time mentality’
I congratulate all the awardees, they’ve all done the legal profession proud and that is why we’re honouring them today. Also, I want to charge my colleagues to always be prompt, there is nothing call African time, it is just our own mentality and I don’t believe in it, we plan to start by 5:30, and that was when we started,” he said.
