Attorney Stella Justice Nnennaya has disproved two long-held notions regarding Nigerian lawyers’ funerals, characterising them as myths that have been passed down for years without any factual or legal foundation.

The lawyer clarified in a widely shared Facebook post that there is no Nigerian law, legal custom, or Nigerian Bar Association rule mandating lawyers to be buried in a particular way due to their occupation.

One of the most widespread myths, according to Stella Justice, is that attorneys are buried face down because they are thought to have uttered too many falsehoods over their careers.

She also refuted the widely held belief that, as part of legal tradition, attorneys are buried with law books or in their wigs and gowns.

Addressing the claims, she wrote: “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.”

The attorney emphasised that funeral plans for solicitors are just like those for everyone else.

She clarified that, rather than a person’s occupation, funeral decisions are based on the wishes of the departed, family members, religious convictions, and cultural customs.

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.”

Stella Justice has contested the widespread belief that attorneys are taught to tell lies in court.

She clarified that presenting the facts, interpreting the law, defending the legal rights of clients, and making sure that everyone has a fair trial before the court are the cornerstones of the legal profession.

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.