Honourable Justice Chinedu Otisi has said that it is very wrong
for a judge to talk down on junior lawyers.
He stated this during a panel session with the topic,
”THE JUDGE’S RIGHT OF REPLY, MAXIMIZING THE SYNERGY BETWEEN
THE BAR & THE BENCH”.
According to him, the Bar-Bench Forum is very important. He
noted that the High Court has that but the Appellate doesn’t.
He also said that temperate language is very important and part
of our ethics and so should be upheld.
A lawyer in attendance stated that we have a peculiar country
and as such, we need to review some things such as the right to
issue statement, the right to practice after retirement, and the
right to reply.
He believes that we need to find solutions peculiar to our clime,
solutions that best fit our situation here.
The chairman of the session, O.C.J. Okocha, SAN, MFR, Past
President of the NBA, said that Judges are cautioned not to join
issues especially in the media and not to respond to issues against
them.
Mrs. Essien SAN then asked: What do you do when you are before
an abusive judge? stressing that it seems Lagos state has the
highest number of abusive judges.
Speaking, Folashade Alli, said that there is need for more bar
and bench forums. He added that judges need to be more courteous,
and we need to review the way we appoint our judges.
Hon. Justice Peter, on the other hand, said that respect is
reciprocal. He advised lawyers to make a report to the Chief Judge
so that the said Judge can be called to order regarding that
issue.
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State raised the issue that senior
counsels do not treat most judges with respect. Maybe because they
have more money than judges.
Responding, Ken Mozia, SAN, said that it’s not just about money,
that he is aware most SANs are interested in the Appellate
Osy of Abuja branch, asked why are there no sanctions against
lawyers and judges who deliberately misinterpreted certain aspects
of the law.
The Chairman, Okocha, SAN responded by saying, that you cannot
sanction a lawyer for misinterpretation because he did that based
on his understanding.
Another lawyer from Abuja branch was curious to know in what way
the bar can intervene to ensure a formal meeting point between the
bar and bench – to harmonize views and come up with communique for
the public.
Dele Oye, on the other hand, said that the bar has to find the
best ways to engage Chief Judges, adding that this section should
constitute a committee to engage the judiciary.
This session was chaired by O.C.J. Okocha SAN, MFR, Past
President of the NBA, while the speakers include l Ken Mozia SAN,
Dele Oye, Hon. Justice Peter Afen, Hon. Justice Chinedu Otisi, and
Folashade Alli.