Sequel to the introduction of a Stamp Policy, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has discovered no fewer than 1,000 fake lawyers across the country.
The association’s Vice President, Akintokunbo Oluwole, said this in Akure during a special sitting of the NBA to mark the opening of the 2015/2016 legal year.
Oluwole said the fake lawyers were discovered after the inauguration of the association’s Stamp Policy introduced to curb the infiltration of quacks into the legal profession.
According to him, “the issue of quacks has been a serious cankerworm which has eaten deep into the fabric of the legal profession.’’
He said the issue is being addressed frontally by the association, adding: “So far, the NBA Stamp Policy has been able to revive the system and has increased the revenue stream of lawyers across the country.
“Most importantly, it has improved the authenticity of documents which are now being filed in court registries since all legal documents must now bear the stamps of lawyers to be considered valid.“
The vice Chairman sought the cooperation of all stakeholders in actualising the vision of restoring the integrity of the legal profession.
Also speaking, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, said the judiciary had been able to curb malpractices in the state judiciary.
Justice Kumuyi noted that dubious individuals had carved out personal stamps which they used in issuing illegal affidavits to unsuspecting members of the public.
He, however, said affidavits can no longer be done by proxy irrespective of the respondent’s status.
