First published in 2018
Simplicita, Eastern Bar Forum (EBF), is a pressure group, whose interest is to promote the welfare of its members. These members are lawyers residing, practicing in and are citizens of either Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa,Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers. Membership is not automatic, you must register, be financially up to date, to enjoy the full benefits of EBF.
EBF geographical jurisdiction, has the highest number of lawyers in NBA but low number of Senior Advocates Of Nigeria (SAN)
The South West do not have as much lawyers as EBF but they have more SANs than EBF, despite EBF having erudite, cerebral lawyers that can stand up to Lord Denning!
I love to see EBF, use its strength to encourage its members to develop their practice and fit into the requirements for the award of the Silk.
Silk, is like a chieftaincy title and the Obi/Eze chooses whom he wants to decorate but there are basic requirements.
EBF, should play less of NBA politics and play the politics of award of SAN.
Members should be encouraged to study the Privilege Committee’s requirements and collaborate with existing SAN of EBF extraction, to meet these requirements.
I love to see EBF, use its influence, to get state judicial service commissions within the 9 member states, appoint young judges. This will increase EBF’s chances of having a member become CJN.
Apart from the Court of records, EBF, should influence the creation of more magisterial divisions in member states and make sure that young lawyers are appointed as magistrates. It grieves my heart to see the North, having more District/Magistrate Courts than EBF member states.
In Abuja, they have two streams, sitting in the morning and in the afternoon.
I love to see EBF, encouraging the gentlemen in skirt to be committed to advocacy. At the last count, I cannot remember any EBF lady being SAN. EBF ladies should be encouraged to look beyond FIDA and aim for the Silk.
Finally, I love to see BF encouraging young lawyers and promoting their welfare. EBF should as a policy, always sponsor 9 young lawyers, one from each EBF member state, to attend international conferences.
Furthermore, EBF, should offer scholarships to members, particularly new wigs.
EBF, if it gets its politics right, it can achieve these. It can get governors of member states to key in and assist EBF beyond offering banauet and cocktail at each EBF quarterly meeting.
