By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja
The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Hon. Justice Josiah Majebi,
has called on students of the Law School to maintain a high degree of integrity if they want to go far in the legal profession. The CJ gave the advice when he hosted students of the Law School to a farewell session at the judiciary headquarters in Lokoja after completion of their five weeks compulsory court attachment program.
The Nigeria law school students sent from various campuses across the country, including Lagos, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Abuja, and Yola, gathered in Lokoja to mark the end of their five-week externship program. The court attachment program is a pivotal component of their legal education that provides them with hands-on experience in the judiciary before proceeding to law chambers for further attachment.
The CJ who was in the company of other Judges in whose courts the students were attached, admonished the students on professional ethical practice, proper dressing and societal decorum noting that the society will only regard and honor professionals who maintain the tenets of their profession, particularly lawyers, while also stressing the need to be properly dressed to court.
Earlier in their addresses, the other Judges that the students had the program with had admonished them to hold on to the gains of the program even as they praised the students for demonstrating readiness to learn throughout the period.
In his address, Hon. Justice Abdul Awulu praised the students for their enthusiasm and willingness to grasp the intricacies of legal proceedings. “It was a pleasure interacting with these young minds,” he remarked, noting that their eagerness to learn and adapt was outstanding.
Echoing similar sentiments, Hon. Justice Angelina Salihu highlighted the ethical challenges lawyers face daily. “We emphasized the significance of factual accuracy and ethical behavior in our courts,” she commented while also commending the students for their approach to legal arguments and case management.
Hon. Justice Estu Umar, on his part, underscored the role of character in the legal profession emphasizing integrity and diligence as cornerstone of successful legal career. “Our discussions centered on these qualities,” he remarked, as he highlighted importance of maintaining the credibility of the legal profession.
The Chief Registrar of the Court, Jubril Ibrahim Esq., in his closing remark, disclosed that the attachment program had prepared the students for the demands of the legal practice and appreciated the Judges for availing the students their wealth of experience and knowledge which the students have promised to apply in practice when they graduate from the Law School.
Mr. Michael Abejirin, speaking on behalf of the students, expressed gratitude for the mentorship provided by the judiciary in his vote if thanks and appreciated their guidance by the Judges throughout the attachment program.