The Bayelsa State Government has urged legal practitioners in the state to properly guide their clients based on the merit or otherwise of the cases at hand to avoid unnecessary litigations.
It also cautioned individuals and communities to resist the temptation of engaging in subversive activities aimed at dethroning traditional rulers whose chieftaincy stools have been recognized by law.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the advice when he met with the chiefs, elders and other community representatives of Aghoro II community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state at his office in Yenagoa, over the disputed Amananaowei stool of the community.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo who reminded lawyers of their professional ethics, said law practice was not just to make money, but deserves honour, integrity and respect as a profession that promotes justice, peace and order in society.
The Deputy Governor pointed out that in some jurisdictions like Abuja and Lagos, lawyers issue a counselor’s certificate to their clients, which makes them liable to accept responsibility for any inconveniences arising from ill-advising their clients.
“Those of you that are lawyers, you have a duty to advise your clients properly. I want you to go back to your professional ethics regarding the duties of a counsel. Litigation is not always the best option for conflict resolution. That is why we have the multi-door court, that gives options for arbitration, mediation and conciliation”, he said.
Explaining the state Chieftaincy Law, Senator Ewhrudjakpo cited section 28 which states that no individual or group has the right to either dethrone or install a traditional ruler without following due process as stipulated by law.
He therefore directed all the parties involved in the Aghoro 2 community leadership conflict to observe status quo with His Royal Highness Ojunkonsin Ibamughan still serving as Amananaowei pending the final determination of the issues raised at the meeting.
The Deputy Governor, however, warned traditional rulers not to see their recognition as a license to oppress and shortchange their people, as the law also provides a window for their removal.
He further directed all the parties in Aghoro II Community to write and forward their petitions to the state government within two weeks for consideration and possible action.
“Government does not and will never protect any Amananaowei who does wrong things. At the same time, we as a government would not sit idly and watch any individual or group of persons take laws into their hand to cause a breach of peace in any community in the state.When a traditional stool had been classified by government, it implies that the community cannot arbitrarily remove the occupant of that stool from office; only the government can exercise that power in accordance with the law”, he added.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa