CJN Kekere-Ekun laments rising level of unethical conduct among Nigerian lawyers and the judiciary.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Wednesday critically examined the condition of legal practice in Nigeria and expressed her concerns about the declining adherence to ethical standards among legal practitioners.
She observed, with a sense of regret, that the commitment to ethical principles in the legal profession is not only diminishing but also encountering significant hurdles, reflecting a broader malaise affecting the judiciary’s integrity.
At the public presentation of the report from the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, held at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja, the gravity of the situation was brought to the forefront, highlighting the urgent need for reform within the judiciary system.
To combat this troubling trend, Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized the imperative for lawyers to renew their commitment to the foundational values of ethics, discipline, and professional responsibility, spotlighting the judiciary’s role in ensuring these values are upheld.
She stated, “It is instructive to note that the Body of Benchers, as the apex institution of the legal profession in Nigeria, is uniquely positioned to lead the charge in this regard.” This acknowledgment underlines the Body of Benchers’ pivotal role in shaping the profession’s ethical landscape.
“The responsibility of upholding the legal profession’s sanctity rests heavily on its shoulders, and I have no doubt that the Body will continue to rise to the occasion.” This sentiment underscores the judiciary’s reliance on its institutions to maintain order and integrity in legal proceedings.
“The enforcement of professional discipline among legal practitioners, through the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), is a vital function that must be pursued with fairness, transparency, and unwavering resolve.” This highlights the evolving expectations placed on the judiciary to act decisively against unethical behavior.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who chaired the inaugural edition of the Body of Benchers annual lecture and the public presentation of the Body of Benchers Law Report, commended the Chairman of the Body, Chief Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN, and all members for their foresight and dedication in establishing this important lecture series.
She pointed out that the lecture represents not only a significant milestone in the Body’s evolution but also serves as a crucial platform for in-depth engagement, practical discourse, and reflective examination of the Body’s functions within Nigeria’s legal profession.
According to her, the lecture initiative was designed as an annual event to fulfill various functions, including shedding light on the operations of the Body of Benchers, both within Nigeria and globally, aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of its vital role in promoting professional discipline and ethical standards.
The CJN elaborated that this lecture series will tackle the unethical challenges in the judiciary and prospects facing the Body while evaluating the ethical obligations of the legal profession in Nigeria to ensure that lawyers maintain the utmost levels of discipline, integrity, and professional responsibility, thereby fortifying public confidence in the judiciary.
She emphasized the need for this initiative to be both sustained and expanded, advocating for it to serve not only as a forum for reflection and discussion but also as a means to establish clear benchmarks for professional ethics and continuous legal education that aligns with necessary justice sector reforms.
This inaugural edition of the annual lecture, themed ‘Half-A-Century of the Body of Benchers: The Past, The Present, and The Future of Maintaining the Ethics of the Legal Profession in Nigeria,’ is set to be delivered by a former governor of Lagos State and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Babatunde Raji Fashola. This theme encapsulates the journey of the legal profession in Nigeria and the critical importance of ethical practices as foundational to its future.