Justice Matilda Ayemieye, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa, has advised practicing lawyers in the state to maintain ethical standards of the legal profession and accord respect to judicial officers.
She gave the advice on Wednesday during a programme tagged, ‘Bar/Bench forum’ held as part of activities to kick-start the 2024 Legal Year at the state high court in Yenagoa, Bayesla.
Ayemieye also tasked legal practitioners on professional growth.
“The members of the bench must be respected by members of the bar. We need each other in our professional and career growth.
“The habit put up by some lawyers in the cause of their practice when they appear before judges of the Bayelsa State judiciary is quite disrespectful.
“Imagine a lawyer telling a judge right in the court that he would appeal his ruling.
“That’s not our concern as judges, you don’t need to say it to our hearing after our judgements.
“Go and file your appeal and stop complaining in our courts. Judges must be respected, magistrates and customary courts chairmen must all be respected too”, she said.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Biriyai Dambo, SAN, lauded the judiciary for the onerous task of dispensing justice.
He pledged the government’s continued synergy with the judiciary, with a view to footing all outstanding judgement debts owed.
Dambo said that Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa was passionate about the independence of the judiciary for the general good of the state and citizens.
He also said that the governor was committed to giving priority to issues concerning the welfare of judicial officers.
In his remarks, Barr. Somina Johnbull, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa, applauded the state judiciary on the nitch carved out by judicial officers in their dispensation of justice.
Dignitaries at the event include representatives of the state Commissioner of Police, CP Alonyenu Francis Idu, and the state command of the Nigerian Correctional Service. (NAN)
