‘I want to redefine law practice’

jerome Ifee Igbokwe, an alumnus of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, will clock one year in the practice of law on December 15. He speaks on his experience, practice, embarrassing moment, first appearance in court among others. JOHN CHIKEZIE met him

Background

Jerome Ifee Igbokwe attended the Enugu State University of Science and Technology where he obtained his LL.B degree in 2014. Last year, Igbokwe was called to the Bar after the mandatory one year in the Nigerian Law School.

He told New Telegraph his experience, practice, fond memories and embarrassing moments this way: “My name is Jerome Ifee Igbokwe. I attended the Enugu State University of Science and Technology for my law degree and later proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Abuja Campus for my pre-call to Bar training.

I graduated from Enugu State University of Science and technology 2014 and in November the same year I proceeded to the Nigerian law school Abuja for my one year pre-call to bar training.

Call to Bar

Thankfully I excelled in the Bar examination and was called to the Nigerian Bar on the 15th December 2015 and Immediately proceeded to Lagos where I was posted to serve in a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Committee For The Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) for the mandatory one year national youth service.

Experience

My first experience and appearance in court was before his Lordship, Honourable Justice Lawal Akapo of an Ikeja High Court and of course as a ‘’new wig’’ I was jittery and had sweat run down my cheeks as though I had a warm shower.

I was supposed to appear with my principal but he was running late and I had no idea of what the case was or an iota of experience on how I should stand in as a defence counsel in a criminal matter.

Moreover, the matter was the 3rd case on the cause list and that made my heart pump even much faster. I immediately felt goose pimples on my skin and the sweat rained profusely on me despite the intensive cooling air conditioned courtroom.

I took a deep long breath as I stood up to announce my appearance, while still hoping that my principal would give me a miracle by appearing at the time as anxiety and fear was too high because I had not gone through the case file, at least to know the name of the defendant.

While in my deepest thought to plea for a stand down, my boss hurriedly walked in and took over the case, leaving me with a great sigh of relief. But after that remarkable experience, I vowed never to stand in or represent a matter I had no knowledge of.

My first experience grew a strong hunger for discipline into studying case files.

Embarrassing moment

No embarrassing moment yet since I am yet to fully advance into the system. But watching and listening to lawyers, especially Senior Advocates argue their cases in court spurs a great hope of making a difference in the judicial system.

I strongly believe I have found my place and I have a role to play in the dispensation of justice to the common man. In addition, an incidence or rather a case I handled regarding an employee who sustained a life threatening injury at his workplace due to the negligence of employers also gave me a spark of happiness.

As I was able to, through several meetings and alternative dispute resolutions, secure the client’s medical rehabilitation and he also got a handsome payoff to start life afresh and this was achieved without stepping foot in a court room and going through the rigours of trials and my client was really fulfilled.

Challenges

Well as with most lawyers who are still new in the Bar. There is always an issue of trust, not many clients are willing to trust you with a brief because they believe you are yet to gain the necessary experience, the clients will always favour the notable lawyers but then with patience and hard work those challenges will be overcome.

Judiciary of my dream

One of the major problems in the judiciary apart from corruption is the issue of how long it takes for a case to be determined, while I alone cannot make every lawyer in the system to be more efficient and avoid delay tactics aimed at wasting the time of the court, I will always make sure that I uphold the integrity of the Bar and avoid any intentional delay tactics to frustrate any case I am handling from unforeseen circumstance (sickness).

I would always appear when I should in a court to aid quick dispensation and with time I will hope to head a more broader campaign to ensure cases are easily dispensed