*CJN urges lawyers to uphold ethics, embrace innovation
• Sanwo-Olu seeks tech-driven legal practice

Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has raised fresh concerns over public perception of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in electoral disputes, stressing that while its decisions are constitutionally final, they must also command public confidence to sustain democracy.

Osinbajo, at a fireside chat during the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP) yearly conference 2026, acknowledged that under Nigeria’s constitutional framework, decisions of the Supreme Court in electoral matters are final and not subject to appeal, but warned that finality does not automatically translate to infallibility in the eyes of the public.

The former Vice President, who argued that the judiciary must be careful not to appear as imposing outcomes on voters, further decried what he described as inconsistencies and disregard for precedent in electoral adjudication.

He reiterated that the credibility of the judiciary depends not only on legal correctness but also on transparency, consistency, and clarity in judicial reasoning, particularly in politically sensitive cases.

He, therefore, called for continuous improvement in judicial quality through better appointment processes, stronger adherence to precedent, and enhanced accountability mechanisms.

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called on legal practitioners to uphold ethical standards while adapting to the evolving demands of modern legal practice.

She gave the charge yesterday, during the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP) yearly conference 2026, themed “Evolving Trends: Nigerian Legal Practice, Global Perspectives.”

Kekere-Ekun stressed that although lawyers are entitled to fair remuneration, such compensation must be guided by conscience, professional responsibility, and the essence of justice.

She expressed concern over practices driven primarily by technical validity rather than the protection of clients’ rights or the advancement of sound legal principles, warning that such tendencies risk reducing the profession to “transactional advocacy rather than principled interpretation.”

“The lawyer occupies a unique position as both an advocate for the client and a minister in the temple of justice,” she said.

The CJN noted that the long-term credibility of the legal profession depends on ethical courage, intellectual honesty, and a firm commitment to the rule of law.

She, therefore, urged lawyers to embrace innovation and technology without compromising ethical standards or the human element of justice.

Kekere-Ekun, while highlighting the impact of digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cross-border transactions, said the profession must adapt to global changes while preserving its foundational principles.

She emphasised the need for collaboration between the Bench and the Bar to ensure a responsive and resilient legal system aligned with global best practices, while remaining rooted in Nigeria’s constitutional and socio-cultural realities.

She added that the legal profession stands at a critical juncture, requiring practitioners to adapt to rapid changes driven by technology, globalisation, and shifting societal expectations.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on lawyers to embrace innovation, technology, and entrepreneurial thinking to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving global legal landscape.

Sanwo-Olu, who stated this at the conference, represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), described Lagos as the “commercial nerve centre” of Nigeria and the hub of legal innovation and practice, noting that the choice of the state as host of the conference was both deliberate and symbolic.

He commended the NBA-SLP for sustaining the tradition of convening the yearly gathering, stressing that the forum remains critical in shaping the future of legal practice in Nigeria.