The Fourth Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice (SLP) conference will start in Calabar, Cross River State today. It will end on Friday.

The theme of this year’s conference is: "Corruption, The Dwindling Economy and the Disappearing Frontiers of Legal Practice."

A statement from the Chairman of the Section, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), said: "The global economic meltdown and its debilitating effects on the economic and financial systems around the world is no longer news.

"The valiant efforts of world leaders in tackling the challenge head long through a combination of ‘bail outs’, ‘co-operation’ and ‘restructuring’ has proved quite successful at ameliorating the crisis. The impact is, however, still being felt.

"The advanced economies around the world are yet to recover fully while others, including the Nigerian economy, are even dwindling noticeably."

This unfortunate state of affairs, he said, and the prevalence of corruption in all its ramifications, portends dire consequences and far reaching implications for legal practice.

It has facilitated the gradual erosion of some of the traditional spheres of activity and practice of lawyers with its attendant decline in economic fortunes.

It has been implicated, as one of the causes of the prevalence of sharp practices by lawyers and non-lawyers alike. It is also said to be responsible for the exodus of lawyers into other businesses and professions and the encroachment into aspects of legal practice by non-lawyers’.

This conference, according to him, is designed to zero in on these issues with a view to finding solutions to reverse the trend.

Eminent resource persons and discussants have been invited to lead the brainstorming process at the showcase session and they include: Justice M. A. Oredola of the Court of Appeal, former President of the NBA, Chief T. J. Okpoko (SAN) and Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN).

The showcase session will be chaired by the President of the NBA, Mr. Joseph B. Daudu (SAN), and keynote address by Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN).

Aside from the show case session, Participants will also benefit from the in-depth discussions in the other sessions. Chiarman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Justice E. O. Ayoola (rtd), shall be making a presentation on the topic: "The litigant and a corrupt judge: what remedie?" His presentation will be discussed by Esther Inuwa of the Kaduna High Court and Mr. Etigwe Uwa (SAN).

Mr. Babajide Ogundipe will address the topic: "The lawyer as gatekeeper; Should the profession accept to act as such?"While Mr. George Etomi will make a presentation on: "The lawyer as watchdog: An examination of fcpa and money laundering provisions." The discussants include Mrs. Boma Ozobia and Deputy Commissioner Police, Thomas Etomi.

Mr. Albert Akpomudje (SAN) will present a paper on: "Growing the law firm and creating value in challenging times", which will be discussed by Mrs. Nella Andem Ewa (SAN), Mrs. Sade Morgan and Mr. Iboroma Akpana.