Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the Nigerian judiciary to remain steadfast in upholding justice and resisting external pressures that threaten its independence.
Speaking at the Body of Benchers maiden Annual Lecture and Public Presentation of the Body of Benchers Law Report, on Wednesday Shettima emphasized that the judiciary is a crucial pillar of the nation’s democratic framework.
“The foundation of every great nation is built on the ethical sensitivity of the institutions that uphold justice,” he said, stressing that laws are not mere technicalities but the scaffolding of civilization.
He warned that bending the law to serve vested interests erodes national stability and weakens democratic governance.
The Vice President who declared the event open, urged legal practitioners to uphold honesty and fairness, warning that history would judge those who allow justice to be compromised.
Prominent figures in Nigeria’s legal profession who spoke called for urgent reforms in legal education and practice, emphasizing the need to uphold ethical standards and ensure quality legal representation in the country.
Delivering the inaugural lecture, former Lagos State governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) questioned whether the Benchers still rigorously scrutinize the legal professionals admitted to the Bar, as was the practice in the old.
He noted the current concerns over the administration of justice, calling for a reevaluation of legal training to separate the education of solicitors from that of barristers or advocates.
“Given the public concerns about the administration of justice, has the time not come upon us to separate and specialize the training of solicitors from barristers or advocates?” Fashola queried.
He further criticized the one-year Law School training, arguing that it lacks sufficient court exposure, making it difficult to instill the “intangible attitudes of a lawyer” that are essential for legal practice.
Drawing from past experiences, he recounted the story of “Owoblow,” a non-law graduate who, through exposure to legal processes, became well-versed in legal practice—an indication that law is best learned in practice rather than solely in classrooms.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in remarks called for a renewed commitment to ethical standards and professional discipline in Nigeria’s legal profession.
“This forum is not only a testament to the progressive evolution of the Body but also a much-needed platform for intellectual engagement, practical discourse, and introspective reflections on the role of the Body of Benchers within the legal profession in Nigeria,” she stated.
The CJN acknowledged the increasing ethical challenges facing the legal profession and underscored the Body of Benchers’ crucial role in enforcing discipline through the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).
She stressed that disciplinary measures must be transparent, fair, and resolute to maintain the integrity of the profession.
“The responsibility of upholding the sanctity of the legal profession rests heavily on the shoulders of the Body of Benchers. The enforcement of professional discipline among legal practitioners must be pursued with fairness, transparency, and unwavering resolve,” she affirmed.
