A High Court sitting in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, has barred Mr. Ahamdi Nweke of Umuihe in Isialangwa South LGA from parading himself as a lawyer and restrained him from putting the affix; Barrister, to his name.
Nweke was the All Progressive Grand Alliance senatorial candidate for Abia Central Senatorial zone in the 2015 senatorial elections.
The court presided over by Justice I. A. Nwabughiogu gave this order in his judgment in the suit filed by John Onyeakolam and Chibuike Opara against Nweke challenging the legality of his self-acclaimed legal practitioner status.
Justice Nwabughiogu regretted that Nweke did not put up any defence or deny all allegations of professional disqualification as a Barrister levelled against him despite several notices of pre-hearing and hearing on the matter that were served him.
Quoting some sections of the legal practice act, the judge ruled that Nweke is not a lawyer in Nigeria since he did not attend Nigerian Law School and so should not be addressed as a Barrister or lawyer.
He further ruled that Nweke should not enjoy the advantage and benefits of a lawyer and should desist from deceiving the public with the title of a Barrister affixed to his name.
Reacting to the judgment, the counsel to the claimant, Mr. Polycarp Uzoagu said the judgment was a welcome development, which would bring sanity and respect to the law profession in Nigeria.
Nweke was the All Progressive Grand Alliance senatorial candidate for Abia Central Senatorial zone in the 2015 senatorial elections.
The court presided over by Justice I. A. Nwabughiogu gave this order in his judgment in the suit filed by John Onyeakolam and Chibuike Opara against Nweke challenging the legality of his self-acclaimed legal practitioner status.
Justice Nwabughiogu regretted that Nweke did not put up any defence or deny all allegations of professional disqualification as a Barrister levelled against him despite several notices of pre-hearing and hearing on the matter that were served him.
Quoting some sections of the legal practice act, the judge ruled that Nweke is not a lawyer in Nigeria since he did not attend Nigerian Law School and so should not be addressed as a Barrister or lawyer.
He further ruled that Nweke should not enjoy the advantage and benefits of a lawyer and should desist from deceiving the public with the title of a Barrister affixed to his name.
Reacting to the judgment, the counsel to the claimant, Mr. Polycarp Uzoagu said the judgment was a welcome development, which would bring sanity and respect to the law profession in Nigeria.
