A retired Justice of the Supreme Court docket, Justice Mary Peter Odili, on Wednesday, cautioned attorneys towards addressing the media after courtroom proceedings, saying the motion is unethical.
In accordance with her, it’s unethical for attorneys to debate and arrive at conclusions on issues pending earlier than the courtroom.
Odili, who’s the Chairman of the Physique of Benchers, acknowledged this on the second day of the Name to Bar Ceremony of 4,412 new attorneys in Abuja.
She additionally revealed {that a} committee has been set as much as deal with the worrisome concern of conflicting judgments of courts within the nation.
The retired justice of the Supreme Court docket implored the newly sworn in attorneys to display the very best stage {of professional} ethics and behave with honour always.
Justice Odili additionally urged the brand new attorneys to be sincere, to not mislead the courtroom, and abide by the judicial gown code.
She stated, “One of many points plaguing our pricey nation in latest instances is the contentious and polarizing spectacle of media trial.
“The adverse resultant impact of media trial is pre-judgement which may erode the foundational pillar of a person’s proper to a good and unbiased trial.
“Legal professionals who have interaction in media trial sway public opinion and probably skew the trajectory of justice, typically turning the folks towards the courtroom.
“It’s unethical for attorneys to be addressing the media when totally robed, notably after courtroom sittings as we’ve seen in latest instances.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it’s unethical for attorneys to deal with the press on issues which are pending in courtroom.
“Rule 33 of the Guidelines of Skilled Conduct states: ‘a lawyer or regulation agency engaged in, or related to the prosecution or defence of a legal matter or related to a civil motion, shall not, whereas litigation is anticipated or pending within the matter, make, or take part in making any extrajudicial assertion that’s calculated to prejudiced or intervene with, or within reason able to prejudicing or interfering with the truthful trial of the matter or the judgement or sentence thereon’.
“It’s subsequently additionally unethical for attorneys to be discussing and arriving at conclusions on issues pending earlier than the courtroom.”
