THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) says it has begun the verification and review of its biometric database for all legal practitioners in the country to fish out fake lawyers. Its President, Joseph Daudu (SAN), disclosed this during a visit to the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Inumidun Akande.
Daudu said the Digital Bar Initiative (DBI), which will last for one month, will help in reducing fake lawyers, as all those duly registered would be issued identification cards.
He said the “registration is very necessary, adding that one of the features of the data-base is the enrolment number, which will make it possible to identify all lawyers. It is a unique opportunity to make improvements in our record-keeping and to also update the records of our members”.
The NBA boss also hinted that the National Assembly, which would stipulate the requirements needed before anybody can practice law in Nigeria, would soon pass the Legal Practitioners’ Act.
Daudu stressed the need for the independence of the judiciary and commended Akande for achieving the financial autonomy of the Lagos judiciary under her tenure.
“We have always tried to explain to the state government that the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary are separate arms of government, which must exist in total independence of one another”, Daudu added.
Daudu said the NBA would hold a criminal justice conference on July 17, 2011, in Abuja to address challenges relating to bail application, plea-bargaining, as well as prison reforms.
Akande said the Bar and the Bench were partners in progress and expressed optimism that the verification exercise would strengthen legal practice in the state.
Original post:
NBA begins registration, seeks autonomy for judiciary