The President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) has spoken on the widespread perception that Nigerian judicial officials are corrupt.
Maikyau said the notion that the Nigerian judiciary is corrupt is false.
Maikyau has therefore implored lawyers to rise up and challenge the negative narrative to enable the country and the world to get the true picture of the institution.
He spoke at the reception in his honour by the Nigeria Law School class of 1990, which was held in Abuja over the weekend.
Maikyau noted that lawyers have an important role in building a society where justice reigns, and where they can enjoy their professional calling.
“Let us speak up so the country and beyond would know that we are not a people called to this profession that can be compromised. I will tell you one example, my Lord, Justice Amina Augie doesn’t have a personal car; she has never bought a car for herself, that I know.
“All the cars that my lord has used since high court have been given to her by reason of the offices my lord has served.”
Maikyau also described the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who was also the special guest of honour, as a man whose background has no trace of corruption.
Speaking during the ceremony, the CJN Ariwoola commended the election of Maikyau as NBA president and charged him to work hard to produce many Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and judges during his tenure.