‘A Solid Foundation in the Form of Pupillage is the Recipe for a Successful Practice’
My name is Bartholomew Aguegbodo. I am a native of Nando in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State. I studied law in the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar 15years ago. I have my practice in Ikeja and I am also a member of the NBA, Ikeja Branch. I am the principal partner of B. Aguegbodo & Co.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a lawyer and if so what were the main challenges?
I had challenges in the earlier stage of my legal career. Top of the list was having and maintaining a solid client base. At the earlier stage, it was not easy getting good paying clients as most clients prefer the very senior and experienced lawyers. Secondly, the cost of acquiring resource and research materials for effective legal practice was very expensive. The cost of legal books particularly books on procedure and legal source documents cost a fortune. What was your worst day as a lawyer? My worst day as a lawyer was the day Justice Charles Archibong, then of Federal High Court, Enugu sitting in court 2, issued a bench warrant for my arrest in connection with a fundamental human right matter I was handling before him. I had applied for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of detained persons who had been in custody for over 9 months on the allegation of murder. I obtained leave of the court and filed all the required processes. Despite two adjournments for the State to respond, there was nothing from the respondent on the day the motion was heard, the court went ahead and granted an order for the unconditional release of the detainees. After the release of the detainees, the court subsequently found out that on the day, the hearing of the motion took place, that the office of the Attorney General filed a counter affidavit. The court did not look at the time of filling of the counter affidavit but went ahead to issue a bench warrant for my arrest for misleading the court that no process was filed by the respondent. I was not served with any process from the Attorney General neither was there any in the court file when the motion was argued. I wrote a petition to the NJC as well as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and subsequently the bench warrant was rescinded.
What was your most memorable experience?
My most memorable experience remains the acquittal of an accused person at the Federal High Court, Lagos charged with being in possession of fake dollar notes.
Who has been most influential in your life?
Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Ike Uzo Esq. and Gbenga Ibrahim have been most influential in my legal practice. Gani’s principles of always defending the rights of the masses as well as serving as a check on abuses in the government shaped my human right instincts. His publications in connection with human right abuses provide enough insight as a starting point for a young lawyer. The publications of Ike Uzo particularly on procedure was very instrumental in my building a good and effective legal practice at a time when there was a dearth of books on procedure. For young lawyers, his series titled ''Law Digest'' provides a clear and practical guide on not only procedure but also practical steps to be adopted in handling certain briefs. Gbenga Ibrahim's invaluable advice on core issues helped my early days in practice. Why did you become a lawyer? I became a lawyer to particularly address the injustice meted out on the public in my community by the Police. In the late 80's and early 90's, it was common for policemen to bring commercial buses in the evenings calling out destinations to unsuspecting commuters who entered such buses and were driven round the area until after 10pm only to be taken into the police station and charged with wondering. The police resorted to extortion in order to free those victims. More so, many persons were arrested indiscriminately on phantom charges and sent to Kirikiri Prison awaiting trial, which then would take months before they regained their freedom and no compensation or remedy would be available to them as a result of their inability to afford the services of a lawyer. I also followed through the media the activities of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi who always resorted to legal actions to address injustices suffered by the public or occasioned by executive recklessness. I cherished the reverence in which lawyers in my locality were held. They looked like people with awesome powers at their disposal to tackle life issues encountered by others. I also see the law as an instrument of social engineering in my community and the society at large.
What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?
My advice to anyone wanting a career in law is that he or she must be ready to work hard and be patient because legal practice is never an easy ride. A solid foundation in the form of pupillage with an established firm is the recipe for a successful practice. Also, the rudiments of procedural law are learnt through day to day exposure together with the guidance of an experienced practitioner. The tide today of young lawyers setting up independent practice after less than a year of call to the Bar hampers their development in the long run. It may seem rewarding at the initial stage but in the long run, the lawyer will be playing catch up with his established colleagues who went through the formal developmental stages. Finally, law is an expensive enterprise that requires a huge financial layout that is not easy to come by.
If you had not become a lawyer, what would you have chosen?
I would have become a teacher if I had not become a lawyer because I have always had the flair for impacting knowledge and affecting my environment positively. Where do you see yourself in ten years? I see myself in the next 10 years, with a flourishing legal practice having made a name for myself as an advocate of the masses. With consistence and purpose driven hard work, I hope to have possibly joined the ranks of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria.