The Presiding and Administrative Judge of the Ibadan Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court, His Lordship, Hon. Justice Dele Peters joined by his learned brother Hon. Justice O. A. Ogunbowale on Tuesday 7th June 2022 received the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Executive members of the Nigerian Bar Association Ibadan Branch, and legal officers from the Oyo State Ministry of Justice to an interaction towards building an efficient relationship between the bar and bench.

                                                                   Hon. Justice Dele Peters addressing the Members of the Bar

While welcoming the Bar, Justice Dele Peters said the meeting was officially approved by the Hon. President of the court, Hon. Justice Benedict Kanyip, Ph.D., FNIALS to harmonize existing relationships and cooperation between the court and bar.

Justice Peters said both the bench and the bar have a greater role to play towards achieving an efficient justice delivery, he frowns at the non-appearance of some lawyers and also the style of coming to the court un-prepared; urged them to uphold the rule of law, promote and foster the cause of justice by maintaining a high standard of professional conduct.

              Hon. Judges of the Court (Middle) in a group photograph with the Learned Senior Advocates in attendance

His Lordship further advised the bar to be at the top of their games, knowing the cases presented in court at their fingertips either winning or losing because it may serve as a judicial precedent. 

Speaking further, Hon. Justice Ogunbowale also cautioned the bar to educate their members to be extra careful of the usage of language and their comportment while in court and always be guided by the rules of professional conduct.

In response, the Chairman of the NBA Ibadan branch, Olayinka Esan Esq applauded the judges of the court for their sacrifice and impartiality in dispensing justice that the legal profession is proud of them. He praised the court for the timely dissemination of information, hearing notice, and cause list using different channels of communication to the members of the bar and urged other courts to emulate such feat.

                          Cross-Section of the Participants

He also praised the court for dispensing justice in a quick and efficient manner and pleaded with the Hon. Judges of the Court to be more lenient when junior lawyers appear before them.

Furthermore, the chairman also recommended for appointment of more judges for the court to ease the workload and to accelerate justice delivery. He also proposed quarterly meetings between the bar and the court for the progress of justice.

In her remark, the Ibadan divisional registrar, Gbemisola Akinlawon Esq. encouraged the Bar to take advantage of Trial on Record for quick dispensation of justice. She extolled the Hon. Justices of the Court for their enormous sacrifice to justice delivery and expressed optimum appreciation to the NBA executive for their time; also gave assurance that her office and the open registry are open for request, communication, and further information about the court. 

                  (Left) Divisional Registrar, Gbemi Akinlawaon Esq and other registrars of the Court

In attendance were Learned Silk Musibau Adetunmbi SAN, and Prince Gbadamosi SAN. Others are NBA executives, lawyers, members of the bar, and registrars of the Court.

In his contribution, Prince Gbadamosi SAN urged the Court not to allow frivolous adjournment from Counsel to save the time of justice delivery that justice delayed is justice denied.

Musibau Adetunmbi SAN implored the honourable Court to give more time for more cross-examination. He also urged the Court to give Alternative Dispute Resolution more sensitization.