NBA’S STAMP FOR LAWYERS: FINEST MOMENT OF THE BAR

the Stamp Policy to address any issues that may arise in the weeks, months and years ahead, as the welfare of the NBA member is always of critical importance.” He later read out the Probono Declaration jointly endorsed by him and the General Secretary, Maxi Afam Osigwe.

Other policies of his administration are: the issuance of an Annual Practice License; the introduction of an Insurance Policy with Leadway Assurance Plc and the establishment of the NBA National Pro Bono Centre.

Joining others to congratulate Alegeh’s led administration on this innovation, Justice Bello noted that “In this bid to eliminate this level of quackery from our profession I will join voices with the NBA to urge all lawyers and institutions which deal in legal documents to insist that henceforth all documents drafted by lawyers for any purpose must bear this stamp which is today being launched. I am told that each stamp is specifically engraved with certain security features which will include the name and enrolment number of each lawyer and others making it impossible to duplicate. It is gratifying that from now on, we will be able to trace the origin of documents. Additional to eliminating charlatans from our midst the use of stamps will further ensure that lawyers abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct by not rendering services which they are statutorily prohibited from rendering”.

“As always, you have the assurance of the FCT Judiciary that we will partner with the NBA as it has shown a wholesome desire to separate the wheat from the chaff. Let me assure you of our full support and that the necessary directives shall be issued to our registry and process staff to ensure that all pleadings and other documents presented for filing by lawyers must meet any requirements which the NBA shall fix and communicate to us subsequently.”

“Beyond this, I will seize this opportunity this forum affords me to encourage the Bar and its leadership to do more to further continuing education among lawyers. This call stems from the declining standard we have sadly noticed in the quality of legal practice. All lawyers must be exposed to the dynamics of a global evolving legal landscape and the only way to keep up to date is to continuously update knowledge. The NBA should encourage fora at which participants not only learn from instructors but from one another. Such fora equally provide opportunities for veteran lawyers to guide younger ones in choosing their career path in the wide horizon of the law” Justice Bello advised.

Finally he noted, “…let me once more offer my warmest and most sincere congratulations to the leadership of the Bar and all who have played one role or the other in making the launching and subsequent use of theses stamps a reality. This day will be remembered as one of the finest days of the BAR in Nigeria”.

Formal presentations were made by the following; Managing Director of Leadway Assurance Company; Oye Hassan – Odukade MFR; Microsoft Supreme Court by Justice Zanna; and elaboration of pro bono procedure by the Managing Partner Legal Resources Consortium, Olawale Fapohunda.

Justice Zanna who is also the Chairman of the National Judicial Council’s Committee on Information Technology Policy received a standing ovation when he presented the Nigerian Judiciary Information Technology Policy Document.

The historic event was witnessed by stakeholders in the Judiciary which included but were not limited to, the Chief Judge Nassarawa State Hon. Justice C.S Dikko, Justice Alima Abdulmalik represented the Chief Judge of Niger State Hon. Justice Fati Abubakar CON, Director General Nigerian Law School Dr. Olarenwaju Onadeko, Attorney-General Enugu State Anthony Ani SAN, his Ekiti counterpart Owoseni Ajayi, former General Secretaries of NBA Hon. Adewale Obafemi and Pastor Dele Adesina (SAN), Chief J.K. Gadzama (SAN), Solomon Akuma (SAN), J.S Okutepa (SAN) and Akinolu Kehinde (SAN).

While adopting the submission of Justice Bello that the launch of the NBA’s stamp “will be remembered as one of the finest moments of the Bar in Nigeria” he said it was another promise pledged and kept by Alegeh from his August 9 2014 inaugural speech in Owerri, Imo State, a continuation of a new face of NBA.

Gbadamosi is the National Publicity Secretary of NBA.