Judges Cautioned Against Frivolous Injunctions

By Steve Oni, Ilorin

The Chairman of the Ilorin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Idowu Akande, has admonished Nigerian Judges not to grant injunctions capable of truncating the country’s democratic process.

Mr. Akande, who gave the admonition on Thursday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, while answering questions on a Radio Kwara Personality interview programme “Playing Host”, implored Judges to be cautious of the type of injunctions they grant in political matters and take such issues with full caution by allowing the politicians to play their politics while the court should uphold the rule of law.

According to him, this is the time lawyers would be rushing to court in defence of their clients and seeking for various injunctions thereby affecting the democratic process.

Answering another question the NBA Chairman disclosed that the association has constituted a new disciplinary committee headed by Justice M.M Akanbi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) that would try lawyers involved in any shoddy deal or professional misconduct particularly cases that have to do with lawyers embezzling client’s money, warning that lawyers are not expected to be involved in the sales of land.

The legal practitioner said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is still far away from waging war against corruption as the war, according to him, is being politicised and wondered why some politicians initially alleged of one corrupt act or the other or under the watch list of the anti graft bodies are eventually being celebrated and given red carpet reception after defecting to the ruling party, describing such developments as ridiculous.

Mr. Akande lamented the poor conditions at which judges and magistrates in the state are discharging their duties and said everything is being done to ensure that the association liaises with the state government to provide conducive environment and beffitting court rooms for the judicial officers and the introduction of the”New Age Bar”.

He called for full financial autonomy for the judiciary in line with the policy of the 1999 amended constitution whereby funds meant for the state judiciary are paid directly to the heads of courts from the office of the Accountant General of the federation, adding that Ilorin branch would partner with the state judiciary to improve the warfare of judges and members of the bar.
Mr Akande, who is the 22nd Chairman of Ilorin bar since inauguration and the first civil servant from the state ministry of justice to attain the position, said efforts are on to secure more conducive offices and court rooms for judicial officers courtesy of the state Attorney General.

He promised to improve the integrity of the bar and bring any errying member to book .

Mr Akande also pledged to work towards a united bar, free of intimidation and announced that his executive has put in place a social media committee and an online platform where members would be relating via the internet.