Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

First female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs Folake Solanke, has called on legal practitioners in the country to remain true to and abide by their oath of office as well as ethics of the profession in other to stay out of trouble.

She made the appeal at Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan Chapter maiden edition of Lateef Fagbemi Table Tennis Competition, held at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

The event was organised as part of efforts of the Ibadan Premier branch of the legal profession to enhance the physical fitness of members, create fun and allow for social networking and interaction.

Some of the legal luminaries at the event include Hon. Justice Segun Lagunju, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, a former Attorney General of Oyo State, Mr. Michael Lana and Mr. Bayo Adenipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Solanke who expressed sadness over the current predicament facing the legal profession and the practitioners in the country however said lawyers have duties to the society and that the trust must not be taken for granted. 

She said, "Lawyers must abide by the oaths of office and ethics of the legal profession. That is the only way to stay out of trouble."

"We owe a duty to the society and that trust must not be taken for granted. My heart breaks when I see and hear of the problems facing the profession at the moment. I can only pray that we get out of these troubles soon."

Speaking on the purpose of the sport competition, she and other legal luminaries in attendance further called on legal practitioners to give room for exercising their body in order to get maximum productivity, noting that it is only a sound body that can function with a sound mind.

Fagbemi, whom the competition is named after expressed delight and appreciation to the branch executive for the honour done to him, noting that the initiative was well thought out.

He assured that he would not relent in doing all within his powers to better the profession, stating that exercise can also help productivity of lawyers. 

He said, "For us as lawyers to succeed in our professional practice, going by the hectic nature of the job, exercise is an important necessity. I am grateful to the branch executives for the honour which is well thought out.

"Sports and exercise generally are good for the body and I think that for us to succeed as lawyers, exercise is good for maximum productivity. We need both sound body and sound mind to be able to deliver well."

Chairman, NBA Ibadan branch, Mr. Akeem Agbaje, said the branch decided to name the tournament after Lateef Fagbemi because of his support and efforts for the branch, adding that the programme was funded with the financial support of Fagbemi and members who believe in the roles played by him.

Chairman, Sports Committee of the branch, Mr. Rotimi Ali, said Ibadan as the premier branch is with the programme setting another standard for legal practitioners, noting that plan is underway to invite other branches for the next edition.