How far is the journey to the promised land?

Young lawyers enter into the legal profession expecting to find a land filled with milk and honey, due to the time, hard work, expensive books and ‘plenty reading’ they put in to be a learned member of the Bar.  It is the perception that once one becomes a lawyer, all the years of hard work […]

Young lawyers enter into the legal profession expecting to find a land filled with milk and honey, due to the time, hard work, expensive books and ‘plenty reading’ they put in to be a learned member of the Bar.  It is the perception that once one becomes a lawyer, all the years of hard work would be rewarded in kind. Though not far from the truth, but this has become a mirage in the Nigerian legal system. A new wig freshly called to the Bar must understand that the profession is not a promised land in itself but the beginning of the journey.
The young lawyer’s friends i.e. the young generation in the society constantly ask difficult but constructive questions, like “why does it take more than 10 years to finally dispose of a case from commencement to appeals?” “How come as a Nigerian I don’t require legal services except when taken to court or in police custody?” “How is it possible for one to steal a car and get three years’ imprisonment while another offender steals N1 billion and pays a fine of N750,000?” Unsatisfactory or unconvincing answers to these everyday questions have led to the populace losing confidence in the judiciary and in turn inhibits the improvement of the legal profession.
What truly is responsible for the slow progression of a young lawyer in the legal profession? This writer does not align himself with the school of thought that low monthly wages is the major reason for the slow progression of new wigs in the legal profession. While the average pay check of a young lawyer is appalling and needs review and increment, a young lawyer’s source of income should not be restricted to monthly pay checks.

Every young lawyer in the legal profession cannot be paid six digits monthly as that is only akin to stopping a train by standing in front of it. The true value of a lawyer is in his skills and ability to use the skills to his benefit. One must understand that the legal profession favours some differently than others. Some young lawyers are well paid by reputable law firms, others are employed by multi-nationals and some just have to walk their way up the legal ladder by their wit and passion for the profession.
The journey to the promised land as envisaged by a new wig is farther than expected because the judicial framework of attaining justice in Nigeria is old-fashioned as it is not at par with the contemporary realities of the 21st century. The provisions of the law used in the distant past when crime rates were low, the population was far below 160 million Nigerians and the economy was not as challenging as it now is, and still the same is used today though with minor amendments. Take for instance, some laws still have fines of N20 (twenty Naira) as punishment.
In current political turf, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria intends to seek legal redress against his suspension with his tenure coming to an end barely four months from today. One is forced to ask if it is possible with our current congested courts, to get an interpretation of the legality or illegality of the acts of the president within four months. Politicians have now taken to using the honourable courts as a political delay strategy: ‘By the way when would he get judgment, even if he gets judgment, we would appeal’.
This has in turn affected the mindset of the populace from seeking redress from court, the Nigerian citizen doesn’t really see the significance of engaging the services of a lawyer as they feel it’s only a waste of time and resources. Those who opt for the services of a lawyer are comfortable with the services of the old wig compared to the new wig, and they cannot be blamed as such is the reality of the Nigerian society.

With or without adequate monthly wage, the legal profession with its fertile pool of knowledge has the capacity to provide for the basic amenities of a new wig without such young lawyer having to wait 5- 7 years in practice.
The Nigerian legal frame work needs a complete reformation, reorganisation and restructuring. Certain laws need be repealed and more efficient ones enacted. More courts with specialized jurisdiction should be established like a court for electoral offences, money laundering and embezzlement; certain cause of action should be given accelerated hearing et al.
Nigeria is a country blessed with the financial, human and intellectual resources to have the best legal framework in the continent and yet is still far from such achievement.
The journey to the promised land will continue to be a long, tiresome and hectic one for the new wigs till positive improvements are put in place.

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