National interest is beyond individual rights, Buhari stresses

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Rule of Law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest.

The President was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 59th Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference (AGC), which commenced in Abuja on Sunday. He therefore charged Nigerian lawyers to put national interest and professional ethics above self in their business conduct.

“Our apex court has had cause to adopt a position on this issue in this regard and it is now a matter of judicial recognition that; where national security and public interest are threatened or there is a likelihood of their being threatened, the individual rights of those allegedly responsible must take second place, in favour of the greater good of society,” he said.

Congratulating the in-coming executive of the NBA led by Paul Usoro (SAN), Buhari reminded lawyers of their responsibility to work for national cohesion and unity through public positions and in their advocacy in court in the upcoming 2019 General Elections.

He also said the country has made significant progress in the fight against corruption even while some individuals, including some lawyers, have proven to resist the anti-corruption drive.

“However, elements within every society, including some lawyers, can equally become unduly resistant to change, even where it is proven that such change is to serve the interest of the larger society. At worst, corruption fights back,” he added.