The newly sworn-in President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), has vowed to crack down on attorneys who use abusive and disrespectful language against their colleagues on social media. Travel Map
Badejo-Okusanya, who was sworn in yesterday as the 33rd NBA president, said her administration will have “scant tolerance” for professional misbehaviour, especially the use of abusive language by attorneys in political conflicts.
She succeeded Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) as the association’s chief and gave her inaugural address, The Nation reported.
The incoming president of the NBA said lawyers found guilty of posting abusive or disparaging messages against colleagues will be subject to public hearings, underlining that such conduct hurt the reputation of the profession.
Such lawyers will be subject to public proceedings for bringing us all into disrepute in the eyes of the public who look up to us and are more and more aghast, as all right-thinking colleagues are, at the type of language that lawyers use on social media against other colleagues, all in the name of politics,” before pledging: “so, we’re coming after you.”
Badejo-Okusanya also vowed that her administration will safeguard judicial independence and speak out against delays, inconsistent judgements, corruption and other acts capable of damaging public faith in the justice system.
She added respect for the judiciary did not mean the NBA should remain mute about its inadequacies.
Her words: “We will back the Bench and demand the integrity and efficiency of the justice system.
We will protect judicial independence, but we will not be indifferent to delay, inconsistent decisions, corruption or conduct that undermines public confidence. To respect institutions is not to remain silent about their inadequacies. “Real respect is the courage to help them.”
The NBA president committed to work with the government in a positive manner but cautioned that the organization would not become an instrument of any administration, political party, region, religion, interest group or individual.
The NBA stated it remains devoted to the Constitution, justice, the rule of law and its members.
“We will work with them when it is in the public good to work with them. Where challenge is required, we shall challenge. And above all, we will act with truth, justice, discipline and boldness,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya also vowed to sustain and build on those that worked and fix those that did not.
She said: “I looked at the manifestos of my other contenders and took out things that were worth doing.
“I will not hesitate to acknowledge their source where we adopt them, and give credit where it’s due,” she said.
“The NBA is bigger than any of its leaders, she said, and its success must be cumulative and sustained.
She said the association was the biggest body of legal professionals in Africa and its branches, sections, fora and committees have the expertise, influence, creativity and courage to change the profession and the country.
She promised to work toward a Bar where young lawyers across Nigeria shall have access to quality learning and professional opportunities, members shall get timely answers to their issues, branches shall be empowered, appointments shall be transparent and technology shall work well.
She also pledged more severe sanctions for professional misconduct and stated all lawyers should be able to perceive real value in being a member of the NBA.
2027 NBA convention to be held in Abuja
Badejo-Okusanya also disclosed that the NBA’s 2027 Annual General Conference would be hosted in Abuja.
She said preparations for the conference will begin immediately, adding that further details including the theme and constitution of the Annual General Conference Planning Committee would be announced later.
The work starts today. We will assemble there not only to have another conference, but to reflect on where we are, to learn more, to bond more and to equip us all for the future of legal practice’, she said.
The new NBA president also challenged members to hold her administration accountable, adding she knew lawyers have heard promises from past administrations that weren’t always delivered.
“I don’t ask you for blind faith,” she replied. “Hold us accountable,” she said.
“Our administration will build on what works, fix what doesn’t and create what the future needs.” .
Badejo-Okusanya who joined the legal profession in 2002, said her emergence as president was the next phase in the passing of the leadership baton.
She said she took the post with feelings of gratitude for past leaders and a promise to serve faithfully.
“Let us not be remembered just because a woman became president when our time is up. Let it be argued that the bar was strengthened, that attorneys were defended and enabled.
Let it be claimed that we reinstated faith in the power of collective professional leadership. It can be argued that we helped our members earn better, live better, and practise better.
“Let it be said that we put Members first and we delivered. Can it be stated we left the association in a better place than we found it.”
She closed her speech by calling for collective action: “The time for action is now. The work starts today. Let’s construct this together.”
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