‘Lawyers Must See Law as Tool to Reinvent Nigeria’
My name is Malachy Ugwummadu. I am from Ababa Oshumili in Delta State. I attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). I have been in active legal practice since I was called to the Bar. I am the Legal Adviser of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Lagos branch; Chairman, National Legal Committee, UNN Alumni Association; Member and Legal Adviser of the Governing Council of Institute Of Portfolio Management of Nigeria, Legal Adviser and member of the National EXCO of the Movement For The Liberation of Western Sahara . Besides my professional qualification, I'm generally known as a human rights and prodemocracy activist in Nigeria. I am currently the National President of the Committee For The Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), a foremost human rights organisation in Nigeria. My foundational predecessors include Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti, Prof. Festus Iyayi, Femi Falana (SAN) respectively.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a lawyer and if so what were the main challenges?
Specific challenges : Mine was at the threshold of my career. My degree result was seized and withheld by the authorities of UNN, because I opposed all draconian policies of the institution and dragged the university to court over their unconscionable increase in our school/services charges by Prof. U.D Gomwalk, Sole Administrator of the school appointed by the Late Sani Abacha. We were in court for approximately two years, until the court ordered the release of my degree results. Every other challenge is incidental to the practice and I don't quite see it as challenge, because we always found strategic ways around them. The pressure of running a functional Chambers, including managing teeming clientele base with diverse interests and problem. The pressure of meeting deadlines, particularly with the front-loading requirements of the various rules of courts. General management of Junior Legal Practitioners and support staff of the chambers. Huge influx and high expectations of indigent members of the society and victims of rights abuses, who desire that their matters be handled on pro bono basis. Luckily, my dear wife, Mrs. Abiola Ugwummadu, is also lawyer with a better managerial skills, competencies and comportment to deal with those aspects.
What was your worst day as a lawyer?
Days my public interest litigation cases on prerogative remedies of mandamus for the full implementation of the 2009 Appropriation Act, as well as the action in certiorari to quash the ban on the use of tint glass were dismissed at the Federal High Court.
What was your most memorable experience?
The very days I filed and won several interest litigations cases on behalf of the Nigerian people, who are the victims of oppression and government misadministration.
Who has been most influential in your life?
Great, selfless and patriotic crusaders of the cause of the downtrodden and oppressed across the world, including notable ones in Nigeria.
Why did you become a lawyer?
I became a lawyer because I saw law clearly as a potent tool for socio-political engagement and reinvention of my country, Nigeria.
What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?
You must have a reason for studying law. Otherwise, you will not recognise the law, when you eventually become a lawyer and see the law you studied. That ideological motivation that propelled your quest to acquire the law degree, is what will define you eventually even beyond the financial security.
If you had not become a lawyer, what would you have chosen?
I was certain that I wanted to be a formidable journalist or an international diplomat, but I love and appreciate law most.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I don't look too much before I leap. Future projections and permutations come along with variables that are not within my control. I just apply myself, talents, knowledge, energy and grace to my situation