The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has said the new Supreme Court Rules 2024 will enhance efficient appellate justice delivery in the country.
Fagbemi said this at the special session to mark the beginning of the 2024/2025 legal year and conferment of the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria on the newly promoted 87 lawyers.
He said that the rules were prepared by a rules committee headed by the Chief Justice with all the well received and promising innovations introduced therein.
“The rules will now be seamlessly rolled out directly for use by practitioners in this court as the new legal year kicks off.
“I can only beseech my learned colleagues to quickly internalise and embrace the rules so that its many well thought out benefits can begin to manifest in earnest in justice delivery at the Supreme Court.
“I am most delighted that my Lord has hit the ground running by identifying some core areas requiring attention, including deployment of technology in the administration of justice.
“It includes also abuses, such as the vexed phenomenon of frivolous ex-parte orders, media trial by lawyers in clear breach of the principle of sub judice and rules of professional conduct.
“Not discounting possible reforms for insulating the Supreme Court from pre-election matters, I share in Your Lordship’s vision and do pledge my unflinching support thereto,’’ he pledged.
He said that the recent landmark judgment of July 11 on financial autonomy for local governments is still causing introspective reactions amongst stakeholders.
“This judgment which has been greeted with huge sighs of relief would certainly enhance socio-economic development and reduce insecurity at the local government level, which is the base of the pyramid.
The minister said that President Bola Tinubu also promised that the independence, autonomy, welfare and development of the judiciary will continue to receive priority attention under the current administration.
“I want to assure the justice constituency that this administration will live up to its pledge to accord obeisant respect for judicial decisions and the rule of law.
“This is in realisation of the fact that sound and just judicial pronouncements are enablers of the critical factors that drive socio-economic development.
“We will therefore continue to take proactive steps to avoid undue exposure of the government to legal liabilities,’’ he pledged.
He said that the nobility of the legal profession demands unwavering commitment to the principles of fairness, equality, and the pursuit of excellence in values.
“Thus, the conferment of the coveted rank of SAN is a fitting acknowledgement of the outstanding contributions of learned colleagues to the profession and to the nation.
“It is a testament to hard work, dedication, and commitment to the highest standards of legal practice.
“Your new, enviable status demands that you must be honest and maintain professional standards at all times within and outside the court room towards the judex, colleagues, clients, and the public.
“You must maintain a very high standard of professional conduct in the discharge of your duties,’’ he advised.
He equally warned that being a privilege also meant that it can be lost or taken away.
“It is worthy of note that under the new rules once a name is struck off there is no provision for restoration of the name to the roll.
“Therefore, you must continue to sustain the standards and qualities for which you were considered worthy of the rank ab initio.
“You are required to advance the course of justice, rule of law, promotion of the image or rating of the judiciary and legal profession, as worthy ambassadors’’.
He said that all the issues responsible for the lack of progress on the Legal Practitioners Act Amendment Bill have now been resolved and his office will proceed quickly to ensure its enactment into law. (NAN)
