Lagos State Chief Imam Sheik Sulaimon Abou-Nolla has urged lawyers and judges to be fair and just in their dealings with litigants and the society.
He said those given the privilege to judge and hold brief for others must see all as equal and refrain from tainting the sensibility of other people.
Sheik Abou-Nolla gave the advice during a special Jumat service at the Lagos Central Mosque, as part of activities marking the opening of the 59th Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The prayer session had in attendance the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Habeeb Lawal; Chairman, Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN); former Lagos State Attorney-General Adeniji Kazeem (SAN); Tunde Busari (SAN); Dele Belgore (SAN); NBA Lagos Chairman Yemi Akangbe; President of Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria Prof. Adeleke and Tijjani Borodo, among others.
The Chief Imam, an engineer, whose ‘Khumbah’ (topic of discussion) centreed on “Justice in Islam” also stressed that no society, community or nation could prosper on injustice, corruption and falsehood.
Citing Chapter 4 verse 58 of the Qur’ân, he exhorted judges and lawyers to handle matters brought before them with the fear of Allah.
“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.”
Also citing Chapter 38 verse 26, he reminded them that Allah commanded Prophet Dâwud “to uphold the cause of justice and never for once follow his innate desires when adjudicating in any matter.
“So, judge between the people in truth and do not follow your own desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah. Indeed, those who go astray from the way of Allah will have a severe punishment for having forgotten the day of judgment.
“Mediators in cases must not give in to partial judgment. Good mediators, lawyers or judges, should be aware that they have two great rewards they can earn if they act righteously. First is for their truthfulness and the other is for rendering assistance to the oppressed,” he further admonished them.
According to him, “the word al-‘adl (Justice) in the purview of Islam, is so broad that it applies to individuals as well as the generality of mankind as a whole. Justice simply means placing things in their rightful place. It also means ensuring that the sensibility of some persons is not wrongfully tainted. It is a moral virtue that Islam encourages Muslims to hold on to in embellishing their human personality”.
Sheik Abou-Nolla stressed the need for the judiciary to always exercise the noble ethics of prudency in carrying out their assignment thereby setting the standard for all other arms of government to conform with.
He said government, on its part, must guarantee the independence of the judiciary adding: “the judiciary should be allowed to exercise their responsibilities without unnecessary interference in their matters.”
Banire urged the leadership of the Lagos Central Mosque to continue to make subjugations on behalf of judges and lawyers to Almighty Allah, saying that this has become necessary in view of the many tensions in the country.
Lawal conveyed the goodwill message of the National Executives of the NBA to the Lagos Central Mosque for the special prayer in their honour.
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