Stop disrespecting judges, Bayelsa CJ warns lawyers 

Justice Ayemieye stated this during a forum tagged, ‘Bar/Bench forum’ held as part of activities to mark the 2024 Legal Year of the state’s judiciary at the state High Court complex in Yenagoa, the state capital.

He noted that members of the bench must be respected by members of the bar, because they all needed each other for professional and career growth.

She charged practicing lawyers in the state to maintain ethical standards in the legal profession and accord respect to members of the judges and others on the bench.

She said: “Members of the bench must be respected by members of the Bar. We need each other in our professional and career growth.

“The habit put up by some lawyers in the cause of their practice when they appear before judges of the Bayelsa State judiciary is quite disrespectful. Imagine a lawyer telling a judge right in the court that he would appeal his ruling.

“That’s not our concern as judges, you don’t need to say it to our hearing after our judgements. Go and file your appeal and stop complaining in our courts. Judges must be respected, magistrates and customary courts chairmen must all be respected too,” she said.

The state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Biriyai Dambo (SAN), lauded the state judiciary for the onerous task of dispensing justice, pledging the government’s continued synergy with the judiciary.

He noted that Governor Douye Diri was  passionate about the independence of the judiciary for the general good of the state and citizens.

In their separate remarks, Chairman, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa branch, Barr. Somina Johnbull, a former state Commissioner and member of the state judicial service commission, Chief Fedude Zimughan and chairperson of the state’s chapter of the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), Barr. Deme Pamoso, applauded the state judiciary on the nitche carved for the judiciary by  judicial officers in the state in the dispensation of justice.