Veteran lawyer Stella Justice Nnennaya is setting the record straight on some entrenched yet unfounded myths surrounding the burial practices of Nigerian lawyers. She asserts that these misconceptions, which have persisted for years, lack any legal or factual foundation.
Through a widely-discussed Facebook post, Nnennaya clarifies that no aspect of Nigerian law, tradition, or Bar Association regulations dictates any special burial rites for those in the legal profession. Her objective is to dismantle these fabrications and illuminate the truth.
Lawyer dismisses common burial myths
One prevalent myth she addresses is the belief that lawyers are buried face down. This notion, rooted in the unfounded claim that legal practitioners tell too many lies, is simply untrue, according to Nnennaya.
Additionally, Nnennaya challenges another popular myth that suggests lawyers are interred in their professional attire—specifically, their wigs and gowns—or accompanied by law books as part of a so-called legal tradition.
In refuting these enduring myths, she remarked: “Two of the biggest lies ever told about lawyers are:”
1. That lawyers are buried face down because they told too many lies.
2. That lawyers are buried in their wigs and gowns.
Both are false.
Lawyers are buried like every other human being.
There is no law in Nigeria, no rule of the Nigerian Bar Association, and no legal tradition that requires lawyers to be buried face down, in wigs and gowns, or with law books.”
Burial depends on family, religion and culture
The lawyer stressed that funeral arrangements for legal practitioners are no different from those of other people.
She explained that burial decisions are determined by the wishes of the deceased, family members, religious beliefs, and cultural practices rather than the person’s profession.
She further stated: “A lawyer’s burial is determined by the wishes of the deceased, the family, religion, and culture, not by the legal profession.”
Lawyers do not tell lies for a living
Stella Justice also challenged the common perception that lawyers are trained to lie in court.
She explained that the legal profession is built on presenting facts, interpreting the law, protecting clients’ legal rights, and ensuring that everyone receives a fair hearing before the court.
According to her: “The job of a lawyer is not to tell lies.
A lawyer is trained to present the facts and the law, defend a client’s legal rights, and ensure that everyone gets a fair hearing in court.
So, if anyone tells you that lawyers are buried face down because they lie for a living, don’t believe it.
It’s simply a long-standing myth with no truth behind it.”
She concluded by asking followers whether they had grown up believing the story, inviting them to share their experiences in the comment section.