There is an urgent need to arrest the ethical misconduct that has crept into the legal profession, former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) canvassed yesterday.
The former Minister of Works got the backing of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BOB), Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).
They spoke at the maiden annual lecture of the Body of Benchers (BOB) and the presentation of the report of the directions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) in Abuja.
Fashola, who was keynote speaker said: “When is the LPDC going to set and enforce new rules for television lawyers?
“When I was in this parish, it was an anathema to argue your case on television.
“When can a judge refer a petition for unethical conduct in the course of trial against a lawyer?
“And what are the expanding frontiers that lawyers and clients have for holding judicial officers accountable without being in contempt of them?”
Fashola noted that to maintain high ethical standards in the profession, members of the BOB must not only keep their hands firmly on the regulatory door of admission to the bar but “they must lead a crusade of urgency to remove unsuitable persons and characters before they bring down the House.”
Fashola’s lecture is titled: “Half-a-century of the Body of Benchers: The past, the present and the future of maintaining the ethics of legal profession in Nigeria.”
The event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who urged the judiciary to remain steadfast and not be swayed by the mob who constantly harass them.
The CJN expressed concern that strict adherence to ethical principles in the legal profession and society at large was not only dwindling but facing serious challenges.
She said the way to reverse the trend was for practitioners to recommit themselves to the fundamental values of ethics, discipline, and professional responsibility.
The CJN said: “It is instructive to note that the Body of Benchers, as the apex institution of the legal profession in Nigeria, is uniquely positioned to lead the charge in this regard.
“The responsibility of upholding the legal profession’s sanctity rests heavily on its shoulders, and I have no doubt that the Body will continue to rise to the occasion.
“The enforcement of professional discipline among legal practitioners, through the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), is a vital function that must be pursued with fairness, transparency, and unwavering resolve.”
Awomolo said the gathering was to reassess the role of the body in a constantly evolving society.
He acknowledged the argument as to whether a law degree should be a second degree.
He was of the view that the standard of lawyers being produced is of lower quality, and therefore, the minimum qualification and perhaps age should be reconsidered.
He noted concerns that the ethics in the legal profession has also suffered deterioration.
Shettima said the judiciary should remain steadfast in doing justice at all times no matter whose ox is gored.
The Vice President noted that the legal profession carries the burden of sustaining the nation and its democracy.
This, he said, is why judges should not see themselves as just interpreters of the law, but custodians of justice.
He said: “One of the gravest mistakes we make is believing that justice is the wish of the loudest party. In reality, justice is just as essential to the most voiceless individual.
“It is the clearest affirmation that a nation is not governed by a mob.
“That is why we recognise that the mandate entrusted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was affirmed by a Judiciary that did not yield to the weight of vested interests – a Judiciary that understood that the fate of a nation is too sacred to be intimidated by any party or bartered for compromise.
“Laws are not mere technicalities; they are the scaffolding of civilisation. Without laws, there is no order. Without order, there is no society.
“Every time justice is delayed, every time the law is bent to serve the interests of agents of anarchy, and every time institutions waver in the face of blackmail, we erode the very foundation of our nation.
“And if that foundation crumbles, no matter how high we have built, everything falls apart.
“This is why the legal profession carries a burden unlike any other.
“You, my lords, are not just interpreters of the law; you are custodians of justice. But this role is not without its burdens.
“The expectations are high, and the temptations are many. Yet, I urge you, my lords, to remain steadfast.”
The Vice President noted that the pursuit of justice does not happen in a vacuum, but is shaped by the gatekeepers and personnel of the law.
He added: “Time and again, we are reminded that a nation is only as accountable, fair, and orderly as the people who make, enforce, and interpret its laws. Each of us is a stakeholder in this democratic arrangement.”
Shettima said President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated that the best way for the nation’s tripartite system of government to function “is when we do not treat one another as enemies but as allies dedicated to the republican virtues of the nation and the advancement of our democracy.”
He urged legal practitioners to remain true to the ideals of honesty and fairness, noting that “the legacy we build today will outlive our titles, our offices, and even our ambitions.
“May we never be remembered as a generation that saw the light of justice dim and did nothing to keep it ablaze,” Shettima said.
Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, said lawyers must remain vigilant in upholding the highest standard of ethics and professionalism if they must effectively serve society.
The AGF added: “As legal practitioners, we are duty bound to ensure that justice is served and that the law remains the tool for the protection of the most vulnerable among us.
“The legal profession is not only a cornerstone of our democratic system, but a vital force in shaping the direction of national development.
“The very essence of the profession is to uphold the rule of law, ensure justice and safeguard fairness to the society.
“The legal landscape is continually evolving and it is incumbent on us all to ensure that we remain at the forefront of global trends while adhering to the core values that define our profession.”
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aitedatiwa commended the Judiciary for its commitment to justice and upholding the rule of law, noting that but for God and the rule of law, he may not have been governor.
Aitedatiwa said: “I recall my own political trajectory about a year ago. I am a proud beneficiary of the rule of law, without being immodest.
“And, Mr. Vice President will bear witness to this as well.
“In the face of the political shenanigans and thick plot to impeach me as the Deputy Governor back in 2023, after God, the rule of law was instrumental in my rescue.
“Perhaps, I will not be standing before you today without the rule of law, coupled with an impartial administration of justice.
“I must say that these have strengthened my resolve and confidence in the Judiciary as the true last hope of the common man.”
The governor added that his experience accounts for why his administration is committed to improving the fortune of the Judiciary in his state.
He called for continuous reform of the training system in the legal profession to ensure that today’s legal practitioners are well prepared for current challenges in the face of increasing global advancements.