- As NDDC Legal Services Directorate holds retreat
A legal luminary, Dr Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, has attributed the bulk of the crisis currently facing Nigeria to the failure of the country’s justice sector, regretting that lawyers are neck-deep in much of the impunity in society.
Ajibade, who disclosed this during a retreat organised by the Legal Services Directorate of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Lagos at the weekend, with the theme: “Exploring Innovation for Effective Legal Service Delivery in the Public Service,” said the legal profession is a critical factor in any civilised society, noting that, given the state of Nigerian society, the country’s legal profession is not meeting its obligations at all.
He said, “Most of the bad things that are going on, we all know—lawyers are neck-deep in a lot of the rubbish that is going on in our society. There is a need to change our orientation and get people to start doing the right thing. Even in other parts of the world, lawyers are not angels, but you have a system where, when you err, you are dealt with through a disciplinary process.
“So, nobody is saying you shouldn’t do the wrong thing, do the wrong thing and face the consequences. The problem we have here is impunity; people do the wrong thing and get away with it. Even those who are doing the right things will be thinking maybe they are the ones making a mistake.”
In his presentation titled “Innovative Strategies for Excellent Service Delivery and Conflict Resolution,” Ajibade stressed the importance of the Legal Services Directorate in prioritising the needs of the Niger Delta people, which is essentially their main clientele.
He said, “The legal department must always put the client first. In this case, that client is the Niger Delta community. Every legal decision should be made with their well-being in mind.”
Ajibade also brought attention to some challenges within the legal profession, particularly what he referred to as “ego-driven rigidity” among lawyers. He argued that a lack of flexibility in legal strategies can often compromise clients’ interests and called for a more adaptable, client-focused approach.
He further highlighted the crucial role of the Legal Services Directorate in achieving the NDDC’s broader development goals, stating, “Every aspect of the Commission’s work has legal implications. Whether it’s infrastructure development, construction contracts, or environmental protection, legal oversight is vital to ensure compliance, avoid liabilities, and protect the public interest.”
He cautioned that poor legal advice could lead to poorly executed contracts or financial risks for contractors, even if the work remains unfinished.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Director of Legal Services and Board Secretary, NDDC, Sir Victor Arenyeka, mentioned that the retreat was targeted at enhancing the skills of legal personnel and improving advisory services throughout the commission.
“We’re basically a service directorate,” the director pointed out. “This retreat is all about helping us gain more experience and positioning ourselves for better service delivery.” Arenyeka emphasised the crucial role of the legal directorate within the commission, stating, “We’re like the policemen of the commission, making sure everyone follows the rules and regulations. Without law and order, development just can’t happen.”
