Don’t be scandalous, be exemplary: Lawyers advised by Malawi Judge Mzikamanda

Supreme Court of Appeal Judge, Rezine Mzikamanda has asked senior lawyers in the country to be exemplary and to always avoid denting the “good image” associated with their noble profession.

Mzikamanda made the remarks Friday at Mount Soche  hotel in Blantyre where the University of Malawi (Unima) with financial assistance from National Bank of Malawi (NBM) awarded 10 lawyers  who have graduated with Masters Degree in Commercial Law.

Notable graduants, among the 10,  included the current Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale, Wapona Kita, Ambukile Salimu and Ted Roca, among others.

“We have newcomers in the industry and it needs you to lead the way well so as for people to continue having confidence in us,” said Mzikamanda, who once served as Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

Mzikamanda, who represented Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda, also commended National Bank of Malawi for supporting the first ever masters program in commercial law which produced nine credits and one distinction through Kaphale.

And NBM Chief Executive Officer George Patridge said the  country will  benefit from the program as previously there has been a gap in the commercial law when it came to solving commercial disputes.

Patridge, an alumni of UNIMA himself, said his bank believes that issues of law and business are interdependent hence their intervention  to sponsor the program.

“We are satisfied with the crop of the graduants and as a bank we believe that the contribution we have made will bring much needed result in the country’s trade deals,”said Patridge.

The NBM CEO  also expressed optimism that Unima will continue with the program despite the pulling out of sponsorship by the bank.

On his part, UNIMA Vice Chancellor, Prof John Saka told Nyasa Times that the they have put in place measures that will see the program being sustained.

He said the Masters Degree in Commercial Law programme is well established because of NBM’s financial support, adding it will add more value to the country’ judiciary.

“Some of the sustainable measures include enrolling self sponsored students who will not need anything from the school,” said Saka.

The program  which is first of its kind was sponsored to the tune of K50million.