The past three weeks have been very dramatic in the affairs of the Nigerian Bar Association. In a controversial and malicious circumstance that lawyers across the country have condemned, the President of the bar, Mr Paul Usoro was docked by the Economic and Financial crimes commission.
This according to many lawyers is good for the bar as this will help put an end to the overzealousness of some government agencies in Nigeria. The President of the NBA has decided to confront the trial head long and thousands of lawyers across the country have pledged their support and willingness to stand with him.
Amidst all these, the President of the NBA to the delight of Lawyers in Nigeria has remained focused with his duties and has continued to pursue his desire to change the bar for the better.In a statement dated the 19th of December 2018 the President, unshaken, released a statement enumerating his efforts towards growing Africa’s biggest bar association.
Prominent among them is facilitating electronic payment of 2019 practicing fees by Lawyers and prompt issuance of Stamps to Lawyers.
Mr Usoro among other promises cruised to victory on the back of his campaign to integrate I.T in the affairs of Lawyers.
The Nigerian Legal community has been lagging behind in embracing new trends in Information Technology. The process of paying Practicing fees has been cumbersome and archaic requiring Lawyers to go to the bank and queue up to make payment. Subsequently, lawyers are expected to queue up in Bar centers to submit tellers.
Within three months of taking charge of the NBA House,a demo is already being tested and will be ready next week. Lawyers are expected to pay their practicing fees online from 2019.This is great news for Lawyers.
Top on the agenda and expected to commence in the new year is the development of young lawyers (forum) which will focus the forum on mentoring and development issues.
2019 will be an important year for Nigeria and Mr Usoro is positioning the Bar to play a prominent role. The general elections will hold from the second month of the year and the NBA is positioned to monitor the elections to ensure that the will of the people is not subverted. This will be one of the boldest venture of the NBA in the coming year and the President has shown determination to ensure that the Bar plays a role in protecting the mandate of the masses.
The NBA has shown its commitment to confront head long the menace of disobeying court orders by State institutions .This will be a mission to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, independence of the judiciary and fundamental human rights.
This may not be an easy task for the bar but the determination of the NBA President and a new consciousness among lawyers will drive the agenda.
The process of obtaining the lawyers stamp has been greatly eased and the time shortened. The NBA has promised to further reduce the time involved in the coming year.
In all the turmoil going on in the Legal Profession, the President of the Bar has remained calm and consistent in creating a new bar. Lawyers are hopeful that the next two years will usher in a Bar association they will be proud of
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