Senior Partner at Babs Mila Legal, Babatunde Ogungbamila, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s judicial system, insisting that the judiciary must take responsibility for its failings and restore public confidence by ensuring accountability, efficiency, and integrity in the administration of justice.
He lamented that court cases often drag on for decades without resolution, warning that the trend undermines economic growth and weakens faith in the rule of law.
“The one arm of government responsible for driving away foreign investors in Nigeria is the judiciary.
“If you cannot solve a dispute, why would anyone want to invest in such a country? People now joke when they say ‘go to court’ because they know nothing will happen. We must stop that,” Ogungbamila said.
Speaking during the formal opening of the Babs Mila Legal (BML) office in Yaba, Lagos, the former Partner at Olisa Agbakoba Legal, decried the current state of the justice system, describing it as a major factor discouraging both local and foreign investors.
He called on heads of courts to interrogate the system and take decisive steps to unclog it, noting that matters that should ordinarily be resolved at lower courts continue to find their way to the Supreme Court, thereby overburdening the apex court and slowing the wheels of justice.
He queried: “Why should tenancy or matrimonial matters get to the Supreme Court? We should sit down and start asking ourselves the right questions.
“The courts are clustered, but those who lead them must be held accountable. We cannot continue to pretend that things are fine.” The renowned litigator and strategist also criticised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for losing focus on its core responsibility of protecting the welfare of lawyers and ensuring a functional justice system.
According to him, the Association has become more concerned with political issues than with addressing the daily struggles of its members and the collapse of justice delivery in the country.
“As lawyers, the first thing the NBA should do is look after the welfare of its members before dabbling in politics. You have lawyers who are struggling to survive, and yet the Association is busy commenting on political fights.
“That is not what the NBA was set up to do. It was created to ensure justice and the welfare of its members,” he said. On the establishment of the firm, Ogungbamila said BML was set up to serve as a model of excellence and integrity in the legal profession, with a focus on people-centered and client-driven service delivery.
“We want to build a transgenerational law firm that wins by righteousness. You don’t need to cut corners or be dishonest to succeed. Ours is a firm that helps clients navigate the complexities of doing business in Nigeria with integrity and competence,” he added.
Speaking on the influence of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in legal practice, Ogungbamila said the legal community must embrace emerging tools to enhance productivity, while maintaining data protection and ethical responsibility.
His words: “AI has come to stay. When used responsibly, it makes lawyers more productive. The key is proper training and discipline.” He emphasised that his firm’s mission is anchored on professionalism, reliability, integrity, motivation, and excellence – values he said define BML’s client service and internal culture.
Ogungbamila expressed hope that through innovation, ethical practice, and renewed accountability within the judiciary, Nigeria’s justice system could once again become a pillar of national development.
