THE BRIEFLESS ADVOCATE (PART 3)

THE BRIEFLESS ADVOCATE (Part 3)

“The Gatekeepers at the Bar:

Who’s Really to Blame?”

We often hear that the legal profession in Nigeria is in crisis.
But we must ask: Who is holding the keys to the gates that lock many lawyers out?

It's no longer just about the lawyers on the streets — it's about the institutions and structures that keep them there.

From the outside, it seems like:

• The Nigerian Bar Association is active.
• The Body of Benchers is prestigious.
• The Council of Legal Education is strict and respected.

But inside the profession, many junior lawyers feel like orphans in their own house.

They pay their dues — both literally and figuratively.
They attend conferences.
They sit through lectures.
But when it’s time for briefs, clients, or opportunities, they’re left out in the cold.

So we must ask, who exactly is benefitting from this imbalance?

⚖️ The Brutal Truth:

• Law School trains students to be competent.
  But the system trains them to be dependent.
• The NBA makes rules to protect prestige.
  But not rules to prevent suffering.
• Senior lawyers promise mentorship.
  But many offer servitude instead.

👨🏽‍⚖️ A Profession of Gatekeepers

We can no longer pretend that this crisis is just about market forces or unemployment.
It’s about a profession that punishes innovation, resists reform, and fears change.

Many talented, ethical young lawyers are now leaving legal practice altogether.
Not because they are lazy — but because the gates are shut.

And even worse, the few who make it inside often forget to hold the door open for others.

🛠️ What Must Change?

1. Mentorship must be structured, not sentimental.
2. Law firms must be regulated on intern welfare, pay, and training.
3. The NBA must create a support system for early-career lawyers:
   • Access to legal aid work
   • Government briefs
   • Professional placement programs
4. Gatekeeping must be replaced with guidance.

Prestige should not mean exclusion.
Discipline should not mean deprivation.

🗝️ Until the gatekeepers become bridge-builders,
the profession will remain divided — between the robed and the robbed.

We can either protect the profession’s pride or protect its people.
But if we’re wise, we’ll do both.

---

Read other parts of this series:

• 📖 Part 1 – The Briefless Advocate
• 📖 Part 2 – The Briefless Advocate

---

— F. P. Olowu
A Concerned Law Student, University of Port Harcourt

---

📲 Connect with Me

🕊️ X (Twitter)
📸 Instagram
🧵 Threads

BREAKING: Oro-azi Gas Explosion claims third life; the aftermath of unsafe practices.

Gas Explosion Claims Third Victim as Female Victim Succumbs to Injuries: A Community in Mourning

Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Another heartbreaking update has emerged following the Oro-azi devastating gas explosion of Saturday 4th January 2025, as a young female victim of the tragedy has been confirmed dead. Her death marks the third fatality in this horrific incident, which began with the death of a child on the day of the explosion, followed by Ayo who was not even at the explosion scene as at the time it happened but quickly ran into the burning apartment to rescue his two little children and got seriously burned in the process. His little daughter was the first to pass away on the day of the explosion, then Ayo himself died yesterday Monday 6th January 2025 and was shortly followed by another critically affected female victim who passed away just this morning of Tuesday 7th January 2025. Both victims were confirmed dead at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital popularly known as BMH.

Ayo's son is said to be in a very critical condition at the moment. We hope he survives.

The young woman in the picture shown above, whose image was also featured in earlier reports, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital where she had been battling for her life alongside other victims. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (BMH), her injuries proved fatal.

The explosion, which occurred at a lock-up shop where the owner was dangerously combining welding activities with the refilling of cooking gas cylinders, has left a trail of death and destruction. Several other victims remain hospitalized, some in critical condition, as doctors and Nurses continue to fight to save their lives.

Unsafe Practices Continue to Cost Lives

The tragedy highlights the devastating impact of unsafe practices in handling inflammable materials. The dual operation of welding and gas refilling in a confined space was a ticking time bomb, one that has now claimed the lives of three individuals and endangered the lives of many others.

Authorities and safety experts have repeatedly warned against such hazardous combinations, emphasizing that welding sparks and flammable gases create an extremely volatile environment. Sadly, this tragedy underscores the dangers of ignoring these warnings.

A Call for Action: Lessons to Prevent Future Tragedies

As the community mourns these tragic losses, this incident should serve as a wake-up call for everyone to prioritize safety. The following safety measures are critical:

1. Strict Regulation of Hazardous Businesses: Authorities must ensure that businesses operating with inflammable materials comply with strict safety guidelines. No welding or open flames should ever coexist with gas refilling activities.

2. Proper Zoning and Inspections: Government agencies must enforce zoning laws and conduct routine inspections to prevent unsafe practices, especially in densely populated areas.

3. Community Vigilance: Residents must report unsafe practices in their neighborhoods to prevent tragedies before they occur.

4. Safety Education: Public awareness campaigns on the dangers of improper handling of gas and other inflammable materials should be intensified.

5. Use of Certified Equipment: Only certified and approved gas cylinders and welding equipment should be used, and regular maintenance should be mandatory.

Community Mourning and Responsibility

This tragic incident is a somber reminder of the consequences of negligence and poor safety standards. The loss of a child, Ayo, and now a young woman, leaves their families and the community in profound grief. Their deaths were preventable and should prompt a collective effort to ensure no other lives are lost in such avoidable circumstances.

KUDOS MEDIA extends its deepest condolences to the families of all the victims. As we hope for the recovery of those still receiving treatment, we urge everyone to reflect on the lessons from this tragedy. Let this be the last time that unsafe practices cost innocent lives.

Please share safety tips regularly on your social media platforms and every other platform available to you using #Safetyfirst #Lifehasnoduplicate

Together, we can build a safer community where no life is cut short due to avoidable negligence.