Speaker tasks Nigerian Lawyers in UK on democracy, rule of law

Speaker tasks Nigerian Lawyers in UK on democracy, rule of law

The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly in Northern Nigeria, Hon. Razak Atunwa, has called on Nigerian Lawyers in the UK to be ‘change agents’ in the consolidation of democracy and rule of law in the Nigeria.

Atunwa made the call on the occasion of an annual dinner organised by the British-Nigeria Law Forum (BNLF) in London on Sunday.

He was quoted as saying ‘‘it is right to say that democracy cannot be nurtured if the rule of law is not accorded all seriousness as being central to the consolidation of democracy.

It is, therefore, incumbent on members of BNLF, as change agents, to participate in activities that will transform the society.’’

Atunwa, who was the guest speaker at the event, noted that in other parts of the world, lawyers were in the forefront of various activities.

He said, “Nigeria should, therefore, not be an exception.’’ 
The Speaker commended the body for offering valuable opportunities for the professional and personal development of lawyers from Nigeria and Britain.

He said: “BNLF serves as a bridge for the cross fertilisation of ideas and networking for lawyers in Britain and Nigeria….….Many Nigerian lawyers have left the shores of Nigeria for the English and Scottish bar and many have also returned to Nigeria to make a success of their profession.’’

He noted that much of Nigeria’s civil, political, and legal institutions were predicated on the British system.
Atunwa, who was called to the British bar in 1995, observed that there were areas in the legal profession in Nigeria where expertise was in high demand, but currently in short supply.

“This is a lacuna, which can be readily plucked by any member of the BNLF,'' he said, and noted that the Nigerian Bar was not traditionally tended towards specialisation.

Consequently, Atunwa said it was not uncommon to find a lawyer dealing with the mundane landlord and tenant matters in one day, and being instructed on a complex jurisdiction law the next day.

He, however, said that the situation was gradually changing as the need for expertise and specialisation had arisen, particularly in the areas of banking, revenue, oil and gas as well as maritime law.

Caution

Atunwa cautioned the lawyers saying: “If you must venture into politics, you must have to do it for the right reasons and in good faith.''

Collaboration
Earlier, the Chairman of BNLF, Mr Babatunde Akinyanju, had said that the forum was fully committed to strengthening legal business and cultural links between Nigeria and the UK.

He was quoted as saying “BNLF encourages mutual collaboration between lawyers in the UK and Nigeria.”

It encourages and supports legal or social initiatives aimed at strengthening the democratic process and the rule of law, in addition to providing free legal services to the Nigerian community in the UK, on human rights and immigration matters.

The BNF
 BNLF, a professional organisation, was established in 2001 following the British Council's first African Law week held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

NAN/ Adekusibe/Ekata