Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, has drawn attention to the dwindling number of practising lawyers in the country, which he said are not adequate.
Prof. Azinge on Monday, noted that Nigeria had 100,000 practising lawyers, which was a far cry from the expected number, given the country’s population and size.
Reacting to the recent order by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria regarding salary increment of Judges, the SAN urged the Federal Government to promptly comply with the orders as a way of improving their condition of service.
He also called on the Federal Government to comply with the judgment of the which ordered a humongous increase in the salaries of Judges to “improve on their condition of service.”
Speaking with members of the press at an event to mark the 42nd reunion and anniversary of the Class of 1980 of the Nigerian Law School, Azinge complained that the number of Lawyers fell way below what should be obtainable in order to meet up with the current realities and population of the country.
“The 100,000 practising lawyers in Nigeria is not enough compared to the over 200 million population of the country.
“The judgement is to give the Salaries and Wages Commission the tone for further engagement and negotiation, so it may not end up being N10 million per month as salary for the CJN.
“It may come down to an extent, but again, the important thing is that the judicial pronouncement has tone for further negotiations and further engagement.
“But, let it be on record that the Judiciary deserves the best, because you cannot be accusing judges of corruption and at the end of the day you are still starving them of funds.
“If you are accusing them of corruption, free them, give them what they are entitled to. And then, allow them to express themselves, then you will see that all things about corruption on the bench will go away. Make them comfortable,” he said.
