Zanzibar CJ urges law practitioners to shun corruption, greed

Makungu said that law practitioners were required to work in the interests of the people, noting that the law was meant to benefit the society.

Chief Justice called on them to ensure the society was the bigger beneficiary by protecting and bequeathing a functioning rule of law, trusted judiciary and a respected bar.

He made the remarks yesterday when awarding certificates of the admission to 47 new advocates at the High Court premises as part of marking Law Day.

He called on them to keep in mind the fact that the court was a place where people invested hopes of getting their rights and not a place for making money.

“Have courage when performing your duties and remember that it’s the society you are serving,” he said.
He, however, warned them to avoid corruption and urged them not to let politicians use them for their selfish interests.

He reminded them that it was their choice to be admirable legal advisers “or those whose ignominy will blight the future of the land and besmirch the legal profession.”

Seonding the Chief Justice, Zanzibar Law Society President Omar Said Shaaban challenged the advocates not to be in a hurry to amass wealth as that path was riddled with sad and sorry lawyers who are a discredit to their profession.

He reminded them to work hard and diligently because such virtues as well as honesty and integrity could lead to millions of shillings.

“I hope some of you who have honesty, integrity and hard work will make it to the bench and sit either as magistrates, judges of the High Court or at the pinnacle of our judicial chain, the Court of Appeal,” he stressed.

According to Shaaban, lawyers must be competent and courageous because the profession demanded many and exacting attributes.