The Minister of Justice, Abubarkar Malami, on Monday, inaugurated the General Council of the Bar with a call on the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association not to isolate its members.
During the unveiling of the Bar Council, Malami said the new council would provide an avenue for members to deliberate on the country’s legal issues.
He stated that the council of legal luminaries in the profession will strengthen the capacity of the Nigerian Bar Association to deliver on its core values. He emphasised the need to stimulate the council by putting vital structures in place.
Speaking, the AGF said the Bar Council was established by the Legal Practitioners Act and taxed with functions stipulated by the Act and the Constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association.
In view of its constitution by the Attorneys-General who are positioned to influence their excellencies, the President and state Governors, Malami stated, “A body which consists of all the Chief Law Officers in the Federation cannot simply be ignored by any leadership of the NBA which is truly desirous of making significant impact on the administration of justice and promotion of the rule of law generally in Nigeria.”
The Bar Council, according to Malami, should be seen as a vehicle for driving the developmental agenda of the NBA, implementing the NBA resolutions, and influencing government policies.
He urged the NBA to consider the Bar Council as an alternate Board of Trustees or advisory body, a link or liaison with the Federal Executive Council, State Executive Councils, National and State Assemblies, Nigerian Governors Forum, Conference of Speakers of State Assemblies, etc.
The Minister advised that the NBA leadership, serving as a vehicle of social conscience, should not seek to isolate its members in government who are positioned to drive its success.
Imploring members of the Bar Council, constituting the Attorney-General of the Federation as President, the Attorneys-General of the States, 20 members of the NBA, the AGF charged them to be devoted and focused on the development and sustainability of the legal profession.
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