The Body of Benchers (BOB), the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and Retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour have expressed concern over the state of affairs in the legal profession in the country and suggested ways to reform it and curb unethical conduct among practitioners.
The Chairman, Body of Benchers, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), NBA President, Tayo Akpata and Rhodes-Vivour stated that there was urgent need for stakeholders to collaborate on ways to reform it.
They spoke in Abuja at a dinner held in honour of Olanipekun and Justice Mary Odili (of the Supreme Court) who were inaugurated on Thursday as the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers.
In his acceptance speech, Olanipekun, who is the 50th chairman of the BOB, said: It behoves us to rejig, redefine and re-orientate our profession in order to restore its cherished nobility and glory.
“We must not lose sight of the unpleasant happenings around us, whether from the Bar and Bench.
“Succinctly surmised, our profession is under aggression and attack, both from within and without. These are not the best of times for the legal profession in Nigeria.