| I loved Gani Fawehinmi
of the past
By NGOZI ECHENDU
Wednesday,
November 14, 2007
 |
•
Gani Fawehinmi
Photo: SunNews Publishing
|
|
Barrister Gerald Okorie has said that the legal practice
is a profession of honesty and integrity, as well as a casino,
where gamblers play and get away with. According to him, some
lawyers gamble with their clients and end up as ‘charge
and bail’ lawyers because nobody will hire them again.
Why law?
I was inspired to study law because I hate seeing the poor
being oppressed. I wanted to fight for the poor and the orphan.
Pupillage
Pupillage is essential in the life of a lawyer, because most
of the things that were taught in school are theoretical.
A lawyer who wants to survive must pass through a period of
pupillage. Also, the pupillage should be on higher grade so
that you can cope when you start your own firm. I did mine
with different lawyers. I was with Barrister Kingsley Okpara
and Barrister Chris before joining Barrister Ajomale, where
I completed my pupillage.
Honesty and integrity
A lawyer that is not honest can hardly make it to the top.
When honesty and integrity are connected to hardwork, success
is always sure. In this regard, most lawyers eat their cake
once. When a client visits you once and you gamble with him,
he will not come back. The secret of the profession is when
a client is satisfied, he would spread the good news to others.
Challenges
My challenges have always been on the road to hardwork, honesty
and also on the process of protecting the poor in the society.
These are great challenges and I’m equal to the task.
Role models
In foreign countries, I respect Lord Denning, but in Nigeria,
I respect Justice Chukwudifu Oputa the father to Charles Oputa,
because of his principles. I like Gani Fawhwemi (SAN) of the
past, not the present, because since he lost the presidential
election he changed.
Advice to upcoming lawyers
There are four ways to success. First, they should be honest,
focused, dedicated and hardworking. They should marry their
law books, read Nigerian text. Finally, they should not underrate
any case, no matter how difficult it is.
Lawyers as liars
The ethics of the profession does not encourage lies. Inside
the court, the lawyer speaks the law, which is verifiable
for both the judge and the lawyers. It’s the litigant
expected to speak the truth who lie for them to win the case.
I will say the litigant are liars while lawyers are the honest
people.
|
