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THE ROLE OF LAWYERS IN ADDRESSING THE CONUNDRUM OF INSECURITY IN NIGERIA


INTRODUCTION

Nigeria today is plunged with several security challenges. Ranging from the activities of Bokoharam insurgents in the Northeast, armed banditry in the Northwest, kidnapping, and cattle rustling in the North Central, and the activities of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast and parts of the south-south. In fact, the whole country is enveloped in an atmosphere of insecurity.

Legal Practitioners, like other citizens of Nigeria, are also affected directly by the security challenges facing Nigeria either in their personal or professional capacity. To bring an end to the range of security challenges facing Nigeria, Legal practitioners, therefore, have various roles to play in ensuring that Nigeria overcomes the security challenges bedeviling her. The article, therefore, seeks to address the role of lawyers in addressing the conundrum of insecurity in Nigeria.

WHO IS A LEGAL PRACTITIONER?

The Legal Practitioner’s Act defines a Legal Practitioner as a person entitled by the provisions of this Act to practice as a barrister and solicitor either generally or for the purpose of any particular office or proceeding.

ADDRESSING THE CONUNDRUM OF INSECURITY IN NIGERIA

The legal practitioner must be familiar with the laws to represent his client to the best of his ability. This will ensure access to justice for victims of crime and insurgency, leading to a massive decrease in cases of insecurity. For instance, he must know the proper head under which to file his client's claim and carry out his case with due diligence to the best of his ability.

Apart from being abreast with laws, the legal practitioner needs to confront injustice against citizens frontally and ensure the respect of fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Constitution. Lawyers can ensure the fundamental rights of citizens are identified and respected. Providing Pro bono services to victims of crime and insecurity will be of immense relevance.

The promotion of the Rule of Law is also a vital role that legal practitioners can play in addressing insecurity. Where Justice is delivered timely by competent, ethical, and independent Judiciary citizens will have more confidence in the courts and will not resort to taking laws into their hands.

A synergy between legal practitioners and lawmakers to regulate the informal sector of the economy will help to truncate remittances of terrorism proceeds into the country. This can also help to regulate religious institutions in terms of preaching hate and divisive statements among religions and sects.

Another role that legal practitioners can play is insisting on the total financial autonomy of the Judiciary. This is coming at a time when the members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) were on strike demanding total autonomy from the executive arm of government. JUSUN members embarked on a nationwide strike on 6th April 2021 in agitation for the judiciary’s financial freedom. Lawyers must therefore support JUSUN to ensure that the financial autonomy of the judiciary is guaranteed. An independent judiciary will deliver justice to all manner of people, without ill will, favor, or affection as peace and security cannot be gained from a judiciary under the captivity of the executive.

There are various laws in Nigeria aimed at tackling insecurity such as Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013. Ensuring full implementation of the provisions of such legislation will pave the way for peace, security of lives and property and meaningful development will thrive in the country.

CONCLUSION

From the foregoing, it would be seen that Nigeria is indeed in dire need of rescue in terms of the various security challenges facing the country. Insecurity is in every part of the country and no patriotic citizen will stand by to watch the country burn. Nigerian Legal Practitioners have a role to play in addressing these security challenges and the paper identified such roles. The Legal Practitioners should therefore march their forces with that of other Nigerians to enable the nation to achieve the desired peace, unity, and security.

Abdulwahab Dahiru Esq. (07062694989).

REFERENCES

1. Benson O. Omoleye and  Alfred O. Filani ‘Law, Security And Development In Nigeria - A Legal Perspective’ 2019 (2) 2 IJECM < https://1library.net/document/zl9gxj6z-law-security-development-nigeria-legal-perspective.html > accessed 11th May 2021

2.  Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Act (Cap L.11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004).

3.  E.I. Okiche ‘The bar and the bench as agents of consumer advocacy in Nigeria’ (2002-2010) 9 Nig. J. R, 94

4. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

5. Ameh Ejekwonyilo, ‘JUSUN rejects governors’ proposal, gives condition to end strike’  (Premium Times 14th May, 2021) < https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/461536-jusun-rejects-governors-proposal-gives-condition-to-end-strike.html > Accessed 16th May, 2021

 

 

 

 

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