Body of Benchers Advocates Adequate Pay for Lawyers

The Body of Benchers, Nigeria, has sought adequate remuneration for young lawyers in the legal profession.

This was as it sought better welfare for judges and other judicial officers in the country.

The call was made by the Chairman, Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, during the call to bar ceremonies held on December 6 and 7, at the Body of Benchers Complex, Abuja, where 4,771 new wigs were admitted into the Nigerian Bar.

The ceremonies were presided by Olanipekun and had over a hundred members of the Body of Benchers in attendance. Notable among the Benchers present included the Vice Chairman, Body of Benchers, Hon, Justice Mary Peter-Odili, CFR, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, past Chief Justices of Nigeria among whom were Hon. Justice S. M. A. Belgore, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, and Hon. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen.

Others include Hon. Justice Umaru Abdullahi, CON who is a former Chairman of the Body, Life benchers, Presiding Justices of the Court of Appeal Divisions, Chief Judges and Attorneys General, Chairmen of the National Assembly Committees on Judiciary and Representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association.

A statement by the Secretary of the Body of Benchers, Daniel Tela, stated, “While presenting his address, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers emphasised on the need to provide adequate remuneration for young lawyers and urged the new entrants to exhibit high sense of decorum, nobility, respect and courtesy to courts and the seniors in the profession.

“The Chairman stressed on the need to ensure adequate welfare package for Judicial Officers by drawing the attention of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), which so far has yielded the desired result going by the steps taken by the Federal Government. The Body has engaged a reputable accounting firm to come up with a comprehensive report that will proffer a lasting solution to the issue of Judges welfare.”

The statement also harped on the reports regarding the call by the Nigerian Bar Association for the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Olanipekun, not to preside over the Call to Bar ceremonies, adding that following deliberations at a December 5 meeting, the matter had been referred to an emergency meeting of the body scheduled for January.

Tela said, “It was resolved that the matter be taken at the Emergency Meeting of the Body scheduled to take place in January, 2023, at a date to be communicated to members.”