By Philip Yatai
Kaduna – The President of Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Mr Solomon Ibadan, on Saturday appealed to Attorneys General in states to stop giving out cases to private lawyers for prosecution.
Ibadan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that attorneys general and commissioners for justice in the country often give out cases to private lawyers in spite of the available law officers in their ministries.
He wondered why ministries would pay private lawyers to prosecute cases that could be handled by their law officers.
According to him, such practice is counterproductive and constitutes a huge drain on government resources.
He described the ministry of justice as a critical sector in the country’s justice delivery system that needed to be empowered.
NAN reports that Ibadan had earlier on Friday inaugurated the newly elected executive to run the affairs of the Kaduna Branch of LOAN.
Ibadan had urged the elected executives to work toward unity and leaving a lasting legacy.
“I am very confident that from the personalities that constitute the state executive, the branch will wax stronger and achieve the objectives for which it was set up.
“Do everything possible to keep the association alive and make impact, particularly on the welfare of members,’’ he said.
The elected Chairman, Matthias Joseph, had thanked members of the association for the confidence reposed in the executive.
Joseph described law officers as the most endangered government employees, with little or no requisite tools to carry out their task.
He said for law officers to be productive, they need working tools.
“It is, therefore, our duty as an association to ensure that necessary tools needed for the execution of our tasks are provided.
“We shall also ensure the protection of the rights of members within the civil service rules and the rules of our professional conduct,’’ Joseph said.
The Director of Public Prosecution in Kaduna State, Mr Dari Bayero, said the branch was established shortly after the national body came on board in 1993.
The branch, however, became comatose in 1997 due to some challenges.
He expressed confidence that the association would continue to grow and create the desired impact in terms of members’ efficiency and welfare.
NAN reports that other elected executive members included Mrs Ayuku Thomas, Vice Chairman; Fati Abdullahi , Secretary; and Musa Kakaki, Assistant Secretary.
Others are Swam Steven, Financial Secretary; Mustapha Haruna , Treasurer and Abakasa Yohanna, Welfare Secretary.
