By Solomon OKPO
CALABAR, A legal practitioner, Paul Nyambi, has raised concerns over the professional competence of many Nigerian lawyers, insisting that less than 10 percent of those called to the Bar are adequately equipped to render sound legal services.
Nyambi, who is the Principal Consultant at PAN Street Solicitors (Legal Practitioners & Consultants), said being called to the Bar does not automatically translate to having the requisite experience to provide quality legal solutions.
“People are quick to say there are too many lawyers in Nigeria. The truth is, those truly equipped to deliver legal services are not up to 10 percent of the total number,” Nyambi stated.
According to him, many lawyers only surface during the annual Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference to take photographs and socialize, but are unable to deliver on core legal responsibilities due to lack of experience.
He emphasized that years at the Bar do not necessarily equate to competence, noting that some lawyers, despite having practiced for decades, remain unequipped due to lack of practical exposure.
“One can be 20 years at the Bar without any cognate professional experience. A lawyer who has been in politics since being called to the Bar, for instance, may lack the expertise required to proffer sound legal advice,” he explained.
Nyambi urged the public to understand this reality and not assume that all lawyers possess the same level of proficiency.
“Know this and know peace,” he concluded.
