Lawyer Criticises Seniority Dispute in Court, Says Crack’s Liberty Should Come First
_Secular Advocacy TV News Desk _
Human Rights Lawyer Ikechukwu Obasi Esq has criticised what he described as a dispute over courtroom seniority that he says delayed action on a client’s liberty in the case of “Justice Crack.”
Responding to a question on whether a junior lawyer can introduce himself as Lead Counsel when senior colleagues are present, Obasi said the practice is “generally not tenable” unless the senior lawyer defers proceedings to the junior counsel.
He posted the remarks on his official Facebook handle, pointing out that the question from Facebook user Genesis Eririoma must have been prompted by the “seniority saga” surrounding Justice Crack’s case. Obasi said he did not intend to vilify any counsel involved, including Barr. Marshall.
“I’m only disappointed that the lawyers slaughtered the liberty of a man under brutal detention on the abattoir of technicalities and an archaic battle for seniority at the Bar,” he wrote.
Obasi argued that the Rules of Professional Conduct require lawyers to act within the bounds of the law, and that professional tradition does not supersede the Constitution’s guarantee of personal liberty. He cited Sections 35 which guarantees personal liberty and 36 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as the basis for bail.
“In view of these, I am disappointed in the team for not making the utmost priority the liberty of Justice Crack but preferred mundane battle for seniority and who should lead the team,” he stated.
He further added that the incident raises questions about the future of the Bar, stating that a defendant would spend the weekend in detention “because of unnecessary saga.”
“I don’t know where the future of the hallowed Bar is heading, that nothing seems to differentiate our conduct from the lay people. This is time to have the discussion. I weep for the legal profession,” Obasi wrote.
The Nigerian Bar Association’s Rules of Professional Conduct generally recognize seniority at the Bar in courtroom etiquette, though the lead role in a matter is ultimately determined by the client and the legal team.