Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed and President NBA, Justice Alegeh cry over numerous fake lawyers in the country

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN), on Wednesday lamented the
negative impact of prevalence of fake lawyers in the country.
They noted that the activities of fake lawyers were negatively affecting the practice of law in the country.
They spoke in Abuja at the inauguration of special identification stamp for lawyers by the NBA.
The CJN observed that it was difficult for judges to differentiate between real lawyers and the fake ones.
Justice Mohammed said, “The prevalence of fake lawyers in the country negatively affects the integrity of the legal profession and casts a shadow of disrepute upon us all.
“Indeed, Judges find it difficult to identify which counsel, appearing before them, is genuine or otherwise.
“Of even greater concern is the fact that members of the public are often left in a quandary over who they can place their trust, property and even lives in.
“We must not forget that the credibility of the Bar has a direct impact on respect for the Rule of Law and the independence of the Courts.”
The CJN therefore called on stakeholders in the legal practice to ensure that the concept of the stamp was used for the authentication of qualified lawyers.
He said, “This is why it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the stamp is used as a veritable means of authenticating a qualified legal practitioner and the documents emanating from him.
“I believe that the stamp can, if properly deployed, becomes a hallmark of a firm’s work and a way for prospective clients to better identify their counsel- a veritable means to ‘Know Your Counsel’.
“Thus, having an innovation, which may bestow a ‘stamp’ of integrity and respect, is indeed welcome.
This event is also timely in its occurrence.
“Our Judiciary is similarly introducing the greater use of information and communications technology solutions like legal email and court automation into the administration of justice in the tri-strata of our superior courts.
“I believe that an enhanced synergistic use and adoption of appropriate ICT innovations will further enhance our ability to bring the legal profession into the 21st century and re-position the temple of justice to provide effectively a qualitative justice dispensation system that meets the complex demands of our dynamic society.
“These innovations will soon include the electronic service of hearing notices from the Supreme Court and more secure inter-and intra-communications platforms between the courts and legal practitioners.”
Alegeh explained that such negative impact of the fake lawyers informed why the NBA, under his leadership, decided on the stamp.
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Alegeh expressed the hope that the stamp will eradicate the problem of fake lawyers in the country.
Acting Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Justice Ishaq Bellon lauded the NBA leadership for the innovation. He was optimistic that the stamp will help reduce cases where non-lawyers pretend to be lawyers.