COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE JOINT MEETING BETWEEN THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (NBA), JALINGO BRANCH, AND THE MAGISTRATES ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (MAN), TARABA STATE CHAPTER

INTRODUCTION A joint meeting of the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Jalingo Branch, and the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Taraba State Chapter, was held on Wednesday, 29th July 2026, at the NBA Bar Centre, Jalingo, to deliberate on critical issues affecting the administration of justice, professional decorum, and the working relationship between the Lower Bench and the Bar in Taraba State. Following robust, frank, and fruitful deliberations, the meeting identified a number of challenges and reached the following resolutions and agreements: RESOLUTIONS AND AGREEMENTS 1. Strict Adherence to Court Sitting Time It was unanimously agreed that Magistrates and Judges of the Lower Courts in Taraba State shall henceforth strictly comply with the official court sitting time of 9:00 a.m. prompt, effective from Monday, 3rd August 2026. In the same vein, Lawyers are expected to be punctual and timeously present in Court. Where Counsel is unable to appear, an Adjournment Letter shall be submitted at least 24 hours before the scheduled date of hearing. Counsel are also enjoined to refrain from frivolous applications for adjournment aimed at delaying proceedings. 2. Frivolous Petitions Members of the Bar are strongly advised to desist from writing unnecessary or frivolous petitions against Magistrates and Judges of the Lower Courts, particularly where such petitions are employed as a strategy to stall, frustrate, or delay the prompt hearing and determination of cases. 3. Judicial Impartiality and Neutrality Magistrates and Judges of the Lower Courts are enjoined to maintain judicial temperament at all times and to ensure that emotions do not becloud their reasoning in the discharge of their judicial duties. They shall also refrain from manifesting or exhibiting any form of bias while presiding over matters before their Courts. 4. Restraint in Ordering the Detention of Lawyers Magistrates and Judges of the Lower Courts are enjoined to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from ordering the detention of Lawyers on account of perceived professional misconduct or misgivings arising in the course of legal representation. In the event of any such professional misconduct or disagreement, the Magistrate or Judge is encouraged to first engage the leadership of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Taraba State Chapter, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Jalingo Branch, for appropriate administrative intervention before taking any further steps. 5. Establishment of a Bar-Bench Committee To institutionalise harmony and continuous dialogue between the Bar and the Lower Bench, a joint Bar-Bench Committee shall be constituted by the NBA Jalingo Branch. The Committee shall liaise periodically with the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Taraba State Chapter, with a view to fostering a smooth, symbiotic, and professional working relationship between Lawyers and Magistrates and Judges of the Lower Courts. 6. Mutual Decorum in Court Both Lawyers and Magistrates and Judges of the Lower Courts shall, at all times, exhibit a high standard of decorum, mutual respect, and courtesy when addressing one another in the course of judicial proceedings. 7. Enforcement of Professional Dress Code Magistrates and Judges of the Lower Courts are empowered to, and shall henceforth, deny audience to any Lawyer who is not fully and properly compliant with the prescribed professional dress code. 8. Lawyers as Sureties Lawyers are strongly discouraged from standing as sureties for litigants in matters pending before the Lower Courts, in order to preserve professional independence and uphold the ethical standards of the legal profession. 9. Bar-Bench-Security Agencies Trialogue The NBA Jalingo Branch shall organise a special Bar-Bench-Security Agencies Trialogue in due course. The platform shall bring together Lawyers, Judges, Magistrates, and relevant security personnel to discuss and address operational challenges affecting the administration of justice and security within the State. CONCLUSION The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Jalingo Branch, and the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Taraba State Chapter, reaffirm their unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law, promoting the speedy and effective dispensation of justice, maintaining professional decorum, and protecting the integrity of the legal profession in Taraba State. All stakeholders are enjoined to adhere strictly to these resolutions and to continue to promote mutual respect, professionalism, cooperation, and constructive engagement in the interest of justice and the effective administration of justice in the State. DATED THIS 29TH DAY OF JULY 2026. Dr. Daniel P. Saredau, Esq. CHAIRMAN Nigerian Bar Association, Jalingo Branch Hon. Chris Jonah CHAIRMAN Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Taraba State Chapter