Former Liberian President George Weah has urged Nigerian lawyers to ensure that the law remains an instrument of humanity, transparency, truth and peace rather than a tool for promoting conflict and chaos.
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Weah made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The conference, themed “Beyond Limits,” has brought together more than 24,000 lawyers, alongside members of the judiciary, policymakers, thought leaders and other stakeholders for discussions on the rule of law, democracy and national development.
Weah warned that threats to democracy do not only emerge through violence or a defeated political leader refusing to relinquish power.
According to him, democracy is also threatened when judicial institutions are unable to effectively perform their constitutional responsibilities.
He called on lawyers to remain courageous in the discharge of their professional duties and to protect members of the judiciary.
The former Liberian president also urged members of the legal profession to prevent the misuse of law for purposes that could fuel war or social disorder.
He challenged the delegates to uphold the principles of transparency, truth and peace in their practice of law and in their contribution to democratic governance.
Fubara Urges Lawyers to Uphold Constitution
The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, also charged members of the Bar and Bench to go beyond conventional limits in upholding the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and promoting the rule of law.
Fubara said lawyers have an important role to play in strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that constitutional principles are respected.
The outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, similarly urged lawyers to confront factors undermining democracy in Nigeria, including tribalism and parochial interests.
Osigwe called on members of the legal profession to remain committed to holding governments accountable to the people.
The NBA conference is expected to feature a week of discussions, networking and policy conversations involving legal practitioners and other stakeholders from Nigeria and beyond.
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