Rev Canon Arinze Umeakuana Esq
By David Onwuchekwa
Rev. Canon Arinze Umeakuana, Esq., a priest and legal practitioner, has dismissed the widespread notion that all lawyers are liars, insisting that the legal profession is fundamentally rooted in truth and Christian values.
Speaking in an interview, after the ordination of his younger brother, Ugochukwu Umeakuana along with six others at Cathedral of St Andrews Church, Amichi, Nnewi South Council Area, Sunday, Rev. Canon Umeakuana, who has excelled in both the priesthood and legal practice, said the law derives its foundation from the Bible and remains one of the professions that can endure forever.
“God Himself is a Judge, while Jesus Christ is our Advocate. Law, therefore, is a thing of truth. In legal parlance, when a lawyer says, ‘I speak from the Bar,’ it means he is speaking the whole truth, ”he said.
He explained that being called to the Bar is synonymous with being called to worship in the temple of justice, equity and good conscience, adding that these values are incompatible with lying.
“The idea that lawyers are liars arose when some people began to twist facts and the law just to win cases by all means. There are cases that are clearly black and white, and a case is known by its facts. It is therefore wrong to generalize and conclude that all lawyers are liars, ”he noted.
According to him, Christian lawyers must be guided by honesty and integrity rather than the pursuit of material wealth.
“As a Christian lawyer, you should not aspire to be as rich as others who compromise the truth. There are cases where you simply advise your client to tell the truth, because the truth will set him free. Unfortunately, the world we live in today does not always subscribe to such honesty,” he said.
Rev. Canon Umeakuana maintained that law thrives on truth and not falsehood, lamenting that societal values have been distorted over time.
He further clarified that his priesthood does not conflict with his legal practice, describing both callings as complementary.
“Priesthood and legal profession are like the same water flowing towards the same channel.
“Historically, the law of equity was developed by the Lord Chancellors, who were priests. They introduced equity to soften the hardship of common law, ”he explained.
Tracing the origin of law to Christianity, he argued that law has always been divinely inspired.
“From time immemorial, law has been from God. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Therefore, law has no conflict with religion or Christianity,” he clarified.
On how he relates with colleagues who belong to secret societies, the cleric-lawyer acknowledged the freedom of worship but emphasized his unwavering faith in Christ.
“Yes, some lawyers belong to secret societies as their source of power, but my own source of power and protection is Christ. My inclination is towards Christ, ”he said.
He added that the power of Jesus Christ surpasses all forms of occult influence.
“With the power of Christ, we can subdue every power from the occult kingdom, because at the mention of the name of Jesus, every knee must bow, even in the courtroom,” he declared.
He also noted that many judges are committed Christians who uphold prayer and moral uprightness.
“When you enter the courtroom as a praying lawyer, charms and every other power must obey,” Rev. Canon Umeakuana concluded.
