Calls for Urgent Recommitment to Professional Discipline, Integrity, and Reform
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has raised serious concerns over the deteriorating ethical standards in the Nigerian legal profession, lamenting that unethical conduct among lawyers is on the rise and threatens the integrity of the judiciary.
Speaking on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the public presentation of the report on the Directions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), held at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja, the CJN expressed deep concern about the growing disregard for professional ethics.
She emphasized that strict adherence to ethical principles is fundamental to maintaining public trust in the legal system, urging legal practitioners to recommit themselves to discipline, integrity, and professional responsibility.
“The legal profession is founded on principles of integrity, fairness, and justice. However, in recent times, we have witnessed an increase in cases of professional misconduct. This is not only damaging to our legal system but also to the public’s confidence in the judiciary. We must take urgent steps to address this trend.”
Ethical Decline in the Legal Profession: A Growing Concern
Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that lawyers are meant to be the custodians of justice, but a worrisome increase in unethical behavior, professional misconduct, and disciplinary violations has raised alarm bells.
She highlighted reports of:
Lawyers engaging in unprofessional practices, including dishonesty and misrepresentation.
Breach of client confidentiality, which erodes trust in the legal system.
Judicial corruption and undue political influence affecting fair legal proceedings.
Negligence and inefficiency in handling legal cases, leading to delayed justice.
She warned that if these trends are not urgently addressed, they could lead to a total collapse of ethical standards within the legal profession.
“The time has come for all legal practitioners to reflect on the core values that define our profession. Discipline, ethical practice, and responsibility must never be compromised.”
The Role of the Body of Benchers in Enforcing Discipline
As the apex regulatory body for the legal profession in Nigeria, the Body of Benchers plays a critical role in enforcing discipline, upholding professional ethics, and maintaining the dignity of the legal profession.
Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) must be more proactive in investigating and penalizing cases of professional misconduct.
“The enforcement of professional discipline through the LPDC must be pursued with fairness, transparency, and unwavering resolve. There should be no sacred cows. Those who tarnish the reputation of the legal profession must be held accountable.”
She commended the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN, and the entire members of the Body of Benchers for their dedication in maintaining the legal profession’s integrity.
Introducing an Annual Lecture on Legal Reforms
To strengthen legal ethics and professional responsibility, the CJN also chaired the inaugural edition of the Body of Benchers’ Annual Lecture and the public presentation of the Body of Benchers Law Report.
She described this new annual lecture as a much-needed platform for intellectual engagement, discourse, and reform within the legal profession.
“This lecture is a landmark initiative that will serve as a forum for critical discussions on legal ethics, judicial reforms, and the future of legal practice in Nigeria.”
The goals of the annual lecture include:
Enhancing awareness of ethical standards within the legal profession.
Providing a forum for evaluating challenges and solutions in professional discipline.
Fostering dialogue on the future of legal practice in Nigeria.
Strengthening public trust in the legal profession and judiciary.
Half-A-Century of the Body of Benchers: Past, Present, and Future
The maiden edition of the annual lecture is 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”.
It is being delivered by Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, a former Governor of Lagos State and a highly respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The lecture is expected to provide insightful reflections on the history, challenges, and future of legal ethics in Nigeria.
Fashola’s keynote speech will explore:
How the legal profession has evolved in Nigeria over the last 50 years.
The impact of professional misconduct on judicial credibility.
Practical reforms needed to uphold ethics and accountability in legal practice.
The role of legal education in shaping ethical lawyers.
Urgent Need for Reforms: Strengthening Ethics and Public Confidence
The CJN stressed that Nigeria’s legal profession is at a critical juncture, where urgent reforms are needed to uphold professional ethics, restore public trust, and ensure justice is served fairly.
She urged:
The Body of Benchers and LPDC to intensify enforcement of disciplinary measures.
Lawyers to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
Judicial officers to remain impartial and resist political pressures.
Legal education institutions to instill strong ethical values in future lawyers.
“Let us not allow the sanctity of our legal profession to be eroded. We must commit ourselves to professional ethics, discipline, and justice. The future of the Nigerian judiciary depends on it.”
A Call to Action for Nigerian Lawyers
The Chief Justice’s speech serves as a wake-up call to lawyers, legal institutions, and regulatory bodies to take concrete action in addressing ethical decline and professional misconduct.
With the introduction of the annual Body of Benchers lecture, legal practitioners now have an opportunity to engage in discussions on legal reforms, ethical challenges, and the future of legal practice in Nigeria.
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As the Nigerian legal system faces increasing scrutiny, ensuring strict adherence to ethical standards will be crucial for maintaining public confidence, delivering fair justice, and safeguarding the credibility of the profession.
