The Sun News On-line

Barrister Anslem Onyebueke has upheld the revolutionary changes that have taken place in the judiciary, as he says the assessment of the judiciary starts from the head, adding that the present Chief Justice of Nigeria has shown what it means to lead the judiciary.

Anslem, who wanted to be a Catholic priest, said his decision to be a lawyer was to cushion the effect of injustice perpetrated by the rich against the poor and to pursue the course of justice in the country.

How I became a lawyer
The choice of law, I would say, is God’s destiny for me. I had an in-law in Jos, an old lawyer, who I stayed with while going to school at the University of Jos. I was partly with him as a co-staff. That also motivated me. Also, the need to stop the oppression of the poor by the rich propelled me. The only gap between the poor and the rich is justice.
It was a move to help cushion the effect of injustice by the rich against the poor, I volunteered myself to study and pursue the course of the legal profession.

Pupillage
First of all, it was with Oba Nmaduabuchi, well known in Plateau State then, I joined H.U Anyawu and Co and because of the understanding we had, we formed a partnership. It was not easy at the early years. Pupillage is important because it makes the lawyer to transform what he knows into act, which is by doing it himself. The major weapon that removes lawyers out of practice early is fear of the judges, clients, cases itself and the legal issues involved. But if you had your pupillage under a master who is bold, it rubs off on you as well.

First appearance
It was a bit terrifying in the sense that I thought I was going to appear with a senior colleague, but along the line, I was told to go alone. Although I was told what to say, on getting there, the matter was not only to be mentioned but also a motion was to be heard. The plaintiff’s counsel insisted on moving the motion, but because I had not fundamentally done my homework I raised an objection to that and as God would have it, the court upheld my objection and the motion was adjourned.

Cost of running a law firm
You must have the experience and be a qualified lawyer to run a law firm. You cannot, as a business man, feel that since a law firm makes money from litigation, consultancy, task and risk management, open an office and employ lawyers. The rule of the professional ethics guarding our practice says, you can’t associate or partner, for the purpose of law practice, with a person or a firm that is not a body of lawyers. You must have been called to the Bar and have means of renting a spacious apartment. The act of having one room for secretary, library is not the model. One needs an office where clients are attended to privately. You also need tolerance in the profession, knowing that what you are pursuing is the course of justice and not money.

Assessment of the judiciary
There is a proverbial saying that if you smite the shepherd, the sheep will scatter. If you want to assess the judiciary, you must assess the head. The present Chief Justice of Nigeria has shown what it means and implies to be a CJ. He’s a revolutionist and indeed, a scholar. He also has deposited these qualities in the entire judiciary. The Supreme Court is marshalling out decisions that are not elementary, but have gone down to the roots of justice, not theory. The Supreme Court, being paddled by the current CJ, has shown exemplary transparency and doggedness. Contrary to what we had, the judiciary has passed through what we call a revolution and is meeting up, if not the best standard in the world, the second best in the world.

Lawyers as liars
Lawyers are not liars but advocates of the Supreme Court of justice. Lawyers work on facts given to them by clients. They were not there when the issues came up and by our professional ethics, we are restricted from formulating facts. A lawyer, being a professional will assemble facts given to him and decide the ones that falls under negligence or criminal acts. The client may no know understand what negligence is. It’s the lawyer who looks through the law and tells you what the truth is.

SANs
The appointment of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, ordinarily, should be on merit. The ethics and privileges committee will look at the qualifications and performances of the lawyer before they approve him that noble position of sitting at the in Bar, because that office has overwhelming privileges. Lawyers, who have performed credibly in academics are now given the privilege and honour. That word advocate does not mean you must stand in the court and advocate through your book. Some of the books are good authorities in courts.

Future of the legal profession
If half of the citizens of Nigeria are lawyers, we will have a good nation. There are certain things a lawyer cannot be involved in, because of the discipline we have. Lawyers are self-controlled. We have a wild range of opportunity, both locally and internationally. Every state of the federation has an attorney general who must be a lawyer. Even the federation has an attorney general who is also a lawyer. Lecturers in faculties of law in universities are lawyers. All banks have their legal units manned by lawyers, insurance companies, oil companies and so on, all have their legal units. You can see that the legal profession has a bright future.