By Cecilia Ogezi
The Almushahid Initiative for Transparency and Accountability (AITA), a non-governmental organization(NGO) based in Abuja, has petitioned the Chairman of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) over alleged acts of unprofessionalism by Barrister Tsembelee Daniel Sorkaa.
In a press statement issued by AITA and made available to newsmen, the organization, which focuses on anti-corruption advocacy and promoting equity in both public and private sectors, described Barrister Sorkaa’s actions as a breach of professional ethics and gross misconduct unbecoming of the legal profession.
The National President of AITA, Ambassador Aminu Majidadi, explained that National Population Commission (NPC) had engaged Barrister Sorkaa regarding a petition it submitted to the National Population Commission (NPC) under the Freedom of Information Act. Rather than addressing the petition with due diligence, Sorkaa allegedly engaged in a campaign of calumny against AITA, including writing defamatory and libelous statements.
Majidadi further stated that Sorkaa’s actions included targeting AITA and it’s respected patron and elder statesman, with baseless accusations and derogatory remarks. According to the statement, these actions were aimed at discrediting the organization, portraying it as fraudulent, and undermining its credibility.
“We are challenging the veracity of the license of Barrister Sorkaa due to his acts of unprofessionalism,” Majidadi stated. “A competent, licensed lawyer ought to have carried out due diligence instead of indulging in malicious blackmail and publishing libelous and defamatory statements against a duly registered organization.”
The statement also noted that Sorkaa failed to uphold the ethical standards expected of a trained legal practitioner, thereby tarnishing the image of the legal profession. AITA has called on the LPDC to investigate the matter and take appropriate disciplinary action against the barrister to uphold the integrity of the legal profession.
“We appeal to the Chairman of the LPDC to use his good office to address this issue and ensure that the erring barrister is brought to book,” the statement concluded.
AITA also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law while calling for strict adherence to professional ethics in the legal sector.
