It is a statement to the depth of the degradation in our value system that we have some folks, mainly civically-challenged, all-attack minions, dare take on Baba Robert Clarke for the audacious and courageous interview he granted Channels TV last week.
It is telling, not surprising, that all they could make from it was the money bit. For them, it was about the man not having $10,000 in his account, in spite of a sterling legal career of over 50 years. They missed his point. But because that is even beside the point, there is no point even further engaging it.
With values all but eroded, the only thing that resonate with emptiness is money. So, that a man could have been a professional for 50 years and not have $10,000 in his account is either something beyond belief or a reason to ridicule the person.
Ignorance. When did law become a pathway to becoming rich for the average legal practitioner until democracy began to be practised upside down and politicians began to deploy public resources to oil the process of election petition and sundry related matters? When did it become the practice to have a line-up of Senior Advocates defending a single client? When did it become the case that millions and millions are routinely paid to Lawyers for ‘professional’ services that dare not be queried? When did it become the standard practice for Lawyers to become Millionaires and Billionaires strictly from legal practice?
The case has always been that Senior lawyers, especially those in corporate practice and a few in litigation get to be comfortable, perhaps rich, but not in the contemplation of what we now see. Indeed, there must be quite a few Senior lawyers with great track record, excellent knowledge of law and huge contribution to the practice who might not have $10,000 in cash. To ridicule them will not only be silly, it will speak to the poor understanding of such a person.
Indeed, even beyond law, professional practice has never been that ready platform for hitting it big. It could legitimately open doors for other businesses or opportunities through which the professional can become rich. It is not the usual thing, given how professions are structured around commissions and fees for one to become a moneybag simply on account of practice. Of course, there are always exceptions.
Now, back to the more important matter. One of the tragedies that has recently began to strut the turf with greater audacity is that of parapoism. Religionists seeking to protect their own, even when he has flouted the law. Politicians shielding their own. Some ethnic groupings speaking from all sides of their mouth once one of theirs is involved. Professionals lining behind their own, even when they can see he is wrong. Lawyers seeking cover for their own under the wings of dodgy technicalities. Few have been able to swim against the tide like the great Gani Fawehinmi did, at huge personal cost.
To not properly place what Baba Robert Clarke did in calling out the rot at the Supreme Court by its real name is to confirm what many fear – we are a society that has become completely soulless, dead to itself. To not see the courage on exhibition in saying in public what some of his colleagues say in private but dare not say in public is to be lost.
Robert Clarke has been consistent in his tough talk on anti-corruption. It raised quite a few eyebrows to see him appear as Defence Counsel in the case against some of the Judges charged to court, aftermath of the DSS raid. He represented Justice Ademola and recently saw him in court, as Counsel for Ajumogobia. The ruling now cited in support of the position that Judicial Officers cannot be made to face trial until NJC had first discharged his duty was based on a position he canvassed in one of these cases.
So, for him, it must be a matter of principle. It is about rendering his service professionally as he should, without sentiment, making his case in court without the drama and flippant sensationalism that we have seen with some others who more often defend allegedly corrupt politicians.
For a man with such insight and experience to speak out is not something to be taken lightly. Baba is an elder. But many of our Elders are even more afraid to speak than the young ones. That interview might still go down as the one that forced the mirror into the hands of the Legal profession to finally confront the monstrous reflection before it.
In breaking ranks, it is a powerful thrust into the unsightly belly of parapoism becoming dominant in the legal profession.
God bless Baba Robert Clarke, SAN
* 22nd January, 2019
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