Templars’ Senior Partner and past Chairman of the Nigerian Bar
Association – Section on Business Law (NBA – SBL), Olumide Akpata
felicitates all Nigerians, particularly the members of the legal
profession, on the occasion of this year’s Democracy Day.
In a statement issued this morning, he said “This is a day set
aside to commemorate our beloved country’s return to democratic
rule and today’s occasion marks 21 years of uninterrupted
democratic governance, the longest ever in our history. It is a
testimony to our resilience as a people that despite the many
challenges that have held us back, including the contemporary
threats posed by the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), we have
continued on the slow but steady march towards great
nationhood.
Democracy only thrives when the rule of law is respected. While
governments at all levels have the duty to ensure the sustenance of
democracy in Nigeria, it is our collective duty as a Bar, and
indeed Nigerians, to speak out in instances where our democracy is
undermined. Disrespect of court orders, unlawful detention,
harassment and illegal removal of judges, lack of independence of
the judiciary all undermine our democracy. The Bar must play an
active role in sustaining this hard-won democracy. The labours of
our heroes past and democracy martyrs like Chief M. K. O. Abiola,
should not end up in vain.
In addition to these, Democracy is about protecting of civil
rights, liberty and justice. At a time of widespread abuse of
citizens’ rights by security agencies, recurrent stories of sexual
violence against women and girls etc., the Nigerian society yearns
for the legal profession to rise to the occasion to protect the
rights and liberty of the citizens. As lawyers, we must give them
reasons to believe in us again and reassure them that we are still
the conscience of the Nigerian society.
As we celebrate today, I urge us to take some time to reflect on
the journey so far whilst celebrating the strides that we have
achieved. But most importantly, today gives us the opportunity to
renew our commitment to become a better democratic and egalitarian
society where the rule of law is upheld without fear or favour.
I wish everyone a safe and pleasant holiday.
OLUMIDE AKPATA
Templars’ Senior Partner and past Chairman of the Nigerian Bar
Association – Section on Business Law (NBA – SBL), Olumide Akpata
felicitates all Nigerians, particularly the members of the legal
profession, on the occasion of this year’s Democracy Day.
In a statement issued this morning, he said “This is a day set
aside to commemorate our beloved country’s return to democratic
rule and today’s occasion marks 21 years of uninterrupted
democratic governance, the longest ever in our history. It is a
testimony to our resilience as a people that despite the many
challenges that have held us back, including the contemporary
threats posed by the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), we have
continued on the slow but steady march towards great
nationhood.
Democracy only thrives when the rule of law is respected. While
governments at all levels have the duty to ensure the sustenance of
democracy in Nigeria, it is our collective duty as a Bar, and
indeed Nigerians, to speak out in instances where our democracy is
undermined. Disrespect of court orders, unlawful detention,
harassment and illegal removal of judges, lack of independence of
the judiciary all undermine our democracy. The Bar must play an
active role in sustaining this hard-won democracy. The labours of
our heroes past and democracy martyrs like Chief M. K. O. Abiola,
should not end up in vain.
In addition to these, Democracy is about protecting of civil
rights, liberty and justice. At a time of widespread abuse of
citizens’ rights by security agencies, recurrent stories of sexual
violence against women and girls etc., the Nigerian society yearns
for the legal profession to rise to the occasion to protect the
rights and liberty of the citizens. As lawyers, we must give them
reasons to believe in us again and reassure them that we are still
the conscience of the Nigerian society.
As we celebrate today, I urge us to take some time to reflect on
the journey so far whilst celebrating the strides that we have
achieved. But most importantly, today gives us the opportunity to
renew our commitment to become a better democratic and egalitarian
society where the rule of law is upheld without fear or favour.
I wish everyone a safe and pleasant holiday.
OLUMIDE AKPATA