By Sumaila Ogbaje, NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
A PDP Chieftain in Kogi, Mr Usman Okai, has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to sanction a group of ‘so-called’ lawyers protesting against the trail of Ex-Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Okai, who was the candidate of PDP for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency in 2023 election, also called on the Inspector-General of Police and Department of State Security Service to investigate the lawyers he described as ‘fake’.
He made the call in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
Okai said the so-called lawyers were by their actions, undermining the integrity of the nation’s judicial system.
According to him, the fakes and hired lawyers are everywhere, holding baseless press conferences just to defend the embattled former Gov. Yahaya Bello, who is facing trial over alleged looting of over N80 billion from the state.
Okai said that some lawyers led by one Emmanuel Agada, had on Friday in Abuja, accused the EFCC of disregarding valid court orders and breaching the constitutional rights of Nigerians.
According to him, the group claimed to have formed a civil society of lawyers in their quest to always pursue ventures that guarantee an independent judiciary that dispenses justice without fear nor favour.
Okai said that the conduct of the group would tarnish the reputation of the legal profession and urged NBA to launch a thorough investigation into their practices.
“The National Judicial Council (NJC) also bears the responsibility of cleansing our legal system of individuals who treat it as nothing more than a marketplace.
“In the realm of law, the term “lawyer” has been reduced to a mere facade, devoid of any substantial practice or ethical integrity.
“These so-called legal practitioners are nothing more than mercenaries for hire, prostituting their services to the highest bidder without a second thought to justice or morality.
“Individuals like Olukayode deserve commendation for daring to challenge the status quo.
“No decree can shield criminals like Yahaya Bello, who have shamelessly pillaged our state coffers, from facing the consequences of their actions.
“It is imperative that the international community, including nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and China, dismiss the baseless pleas of these counterfeit lawyers and consign their letters to the oblivion they deserve.
“The whole Nigerians are well aware of Yahaya Bello’s fraudulent activities and must not be swayed by his desperate attempts to evade justice,” he said.
Okai alleged that Kogi State had become a breeding ground for corruption, with unscrupulous individuals shamelessly exploiting its resources for personal gain.
According to him, the rampant bribery and corruption, exemplified by the lavish expenditures of faceless civil society organisations, obscure lawyers, and self-proclaimed pundits are emblematic of the decay within our society.
Okai, known as good governance advocate, said the pervasive culture of legal malpractice and political corruption in Kogi demands immediate action from both domestic and international institutions.
“We must not allow the sanctity of justice to be defiled by mercenaries masquerading as lawyers, nor permit unscrupulous politicians to trample upon the rule of law for their personal gain,” he added. (NAN)