Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Ubani, has called for a safe and supportive environment for legal practitioners, stressing that the independence of lawyers is vital to the effective administration of justice and the protection of the rule of law.
Ubani made the call while delivering the keynote address as Chairman of the Occasion at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oron Branch Law Week, held under the theme, “Legal Administration and Legal Practice in a Secured Environment.”
The event featured the foundation-laying ceremony for the proposed NBA Oron House, Bar Centre, aimed at providing a permanent professional hub for lawyers in the branch.
Ubani explained that security in legal practice extends beyond the presence of security personnel and physical infrastructure to include protection against threats and intimidation, freedom from unlawful interference, confidentiality of information, digital security and institutional safeguards.
He noted that lawyers must be able to perform their professional duties without fear of retaliation, particularly when challenging unlawful conduct or representing clients whose interests may be unpopular with those in positions of authority.
Describing the proposed Bar Centre as more than a building, Ubani said it should serve as a professional home where lawyers could exchange ideas, access continuing legal education and mentorship, and coordinate legal aid and public-interest initiatives.
He urged the branch to equip the facility with functional meeting rooms, legal research resources, private consultation spaces, administrative offices, reliable utilities and adequate security arrangements. He also emphasised the need to make the centre accessible to persons with disabilities and establish a sustainable maintenance plan.
The senior lawyer stressed that the success of the project would depend not only on the quality of construction but also on transparency, integrity and accountability in its execution.
He called for proper documentation of contributions and expenditure, regular progress reports, professional procurement and construction standards, as well as a realistic completion and long-term management plan.
Ubani warned that the facility must not become the personal property of any administration or faction or be reserved for a privileged few. Instead, he said it should remain an enduring institutional asset accessible to lawyers across generations and professional backgrounds.
Drawing on his experience as former Chairman of NBA Ikeja Branch, Second Vice-President of the NBA and Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, he said the strength of the legal profession depended on members’ willingness to work towards a common cause.
He urged lawyers to place the collective interests of the profession above personal differences, electoral divisions and individual ambitions, noting that leadership tenures would end, but institutions founded on sound principles could endure for generations.
On the development of young lawyers, Ubani called for greater investment in mentorship, practical training, professional development and continuing legal education.
He observed that younger practitioners faced challenges, including the cost of establishing legal practice, technological demands, professional competition and the need to maintain ethical standards amid difficult economic conditions.
According to him, a well-managed Bar Centre could help address some of these challenges while strengthening professional relationships and preparing young lawyers for greater responsibilities in the administration of justice.
Ubani also urged the Oron Branch to use the facility as a platform for public service through legal awareness campaigns, pro bono services and constructive engagement on human rights, criminal justice reform, electoral integrity, constitutional governance and access to justice.
He maintained that the credibility of the legal profession should be measured not only by the respect lawyers command in courtrooms but also by the confidence ordinary citizens place in them.
The senior advocate appealed to members of the Bench, government, traditional institutions, corporate organisations, business leaders, philanthropists and other supporters of the legal profession to contribute to the project, while cautioning that partnerships must not compromise the independence of the Bar.
He commended the leadership and members of NBA Oron Branch for initiating the project, urging them to sustain the commitment that had made the foundation-laying ceremony possible.
Ubani said the ultimate value of the centre would not be determined merely by the beauty of the completed structure but by the lawyers it develops, the public it serves and its contribution to justice and the rule of law.
He urged the branch to build the project on the principles of unity, integrity, transparency, accountability and service, expressing hope that NBA Oron House would become a lasting symbol of professional excellence and institutional progress.
The annual Law Week was attended by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette F. Obot, who was represented by Justice Effiong Offiong of the State High Court.
The Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom State, Uko Udom, SAN, was represented by a director in the State Ministry of Justice. Other attendees included judges, magistrates and NBA leaders from Eket, Uyo and Ikot Ekpene, among others.
The foundation-laying ceremony was led by Justice Effiong Offiong, who represented the Chief Judge.
The Chairman of NBA Oron Branch, Ikara O. Ikara, and the Chairman of the Annual Law Week Planning Committee, Chief Godwin Effiong, were among the key officials associated with the event, which the organisers described as a success.
