Lawyers warned against corruption

C

hief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda and Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda have warned lawyers in the country against engaging in corruption, saying they will face the wrath of the law if cornered.

The two issued the warning at the High Court of Malawi in Blantyre yesterday during admission of 21 new lawyers to the Malawi bar.

Mzikamanda urged both new and serving lawyers to desist from corruption and instead adhere to the legal standards to maintain the profession’s discipline.

On the other hand, Nyirenda, in an interview, said the number of new lawyers admitted to the bar is significant because it will help to improve the rule of law and access to justice.

He also asked the new lawyers to uphold the ethical standards and avoid engaging in corruption saying if they do, they may not succeed in the legal profession.

Nyirenda said: “They [unethical conducts] also derail the purpose of which lawyers are supposed to be, in the sense that whatever we think the lawyers are supposed to do, if they get involved in unethical behaviours like corruption, we frustrate the law and we are also going to frustrate the objectives of the lawyers.”

According to Malawi Law Society chairperson Patrick Mpaka, the admission of the 21 new lawyers has increased the number of practising lawyers to about 850 in the country.

In a separate interview, one of newly admitted lawyers Bunusu Mtupa said he was happy, but at the same time scared because he has taken a difficult responsibility.

He noted that there are a lot of trials in the legal profession which some are hard to avoid.

Said Mtupa: “But I will work hard and I will try to keep the oath and serve the society. I will try hard to avoid corruption and uphold the law. I am also aware that it’s all about serving the society, it’s not a matter of making profits.”

The admission of the 21 means that they are now eligible to represent clients in various cases.