By Friday Idachaba
CHIEF Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi has charged legal practitioners in the state to maintain personal and professional dignity to sustain the credibility and value of the profession before litigants and discerning public.
Justice Majebi gave the charge when the new leadership of the Lokoja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Confluence Bar, led by its Chairman, Barr. Sumaila Abbas, paid him a courtesy visit at the state High Court complex, Lokoja.
He asserted that maintenance of personal and professional integrity was a panacea for the sustenance of the credibility and value of the profession.
The Chief Judge stressed the need for more collaboration between the Bench and the Bar in the discharge of their duties saying that as Ministers in the Temple of Justice, both judges and lawyers were products of same profession.
He affirmed that Judges of Kogi State Judiciary had over the years been found to live above board as he pointed out however, that the kind of cases handled by the Judges did not provide enabling environment for recklessness.
On the cost of the state High Court Civil Procedure Rules copies, the CJ defended the cost as he broke down the cost of production and the quality of copies which he said was mostly concerned with durability.
Justice Majebi urged that though he has not received any untoward report against any Judge in the state so far this year, he encouraged the Bar to feel free to lodge complaints against erring Judges.
He reiterated the need for lawyers to be on the same page with Judges in tackling challenges facing the administration of justice in the state for the judiciary to attain its desired goals in the state.
Earlier, The NBA Lokoja Branch Chairman, Barr. Sumaila Abbas, had eulogized the judges for their role in the successful marking of the association’s 2025 Law Week.
The law week was themed: Strengthening the Bar-Bench Synergy in the Effective Delivery of Justice and Nation Building.
The NBA Chairman had expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Chief Judge for the role played by Judges of the state Judiciary in ensuring the successful marking of the association’s 2025 Law Week.
The Chairman had particularly eulogized Hon. Justice Nichodemus Abdul Awulu of the state High Court who stood in for the Chief Judge, for his excellent coordination of the activities of the Law Week.
The NBA Chairman had also requested a downward review of the cost of the state’s newly reviewed High Court Civil Procedure Rules as he pledged continued cooperation with the Bench for a smoother administration of Justice.
“We are committed to work hand-in-hand with judges in the state in any area the Chief Judge wants us to play vital role as the Exco is ready to work in unison with the Judiciary in Kogi State and beyond”, said the Chairman. (Ends)