The charge by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to the Body of Benchers to halt the downturn in the ethical standards of the legal profession in Nigeria could not have come at a better time. The appeal was not only germane but also touched on the fundamental issue of justice delivery.

The CJN gave the task as the chairperson of the inaugural edition of the Body of Benchers annual lecture and the public presentation of the Body of Benchers Law Report last week in Abuja. She said it is essential and urgent for the lecture to address challenges and prospects of the Body; evaluating the ethical standards of the legal profession in Nigeria:

“To ensure the highest levels of discipline, integrity, and professional responsibility among lawyers; and presenting a forward-looking agenda for strengthening the legal profession while enhancing public confidence in the judiciary and legal practice.”

Justice Kekere-Ekun, who took a critical look into the practice of law in Nigeria, lamented the downturn in the adherence to ethical principles in the legal profession. She noted with regret that strict adherence to ethical principles in the legal profession and society at large was not only dwindling but facing serious challenges. To address the trend, the CJN canvassed an urgent need for law practitioners to recommit themselves to the fundamental values of ethics, discipline, and professional responsibility.

“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”, she said.

She commended the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN, and the entire members of the Body for their foresight and dedication in initiating the lecture. The CJN sad the lecture was 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 observed that the lecture initiative was conceived as an annual event to serve multiple purposes, including illuminating the workings of the Body of Benchers both nationally and internationally to foster greater understanding of its critical role in legal practice and professional discipline; providing a forum for robust, critical, and well-researched discussions on the successes.

Kekere-Ekun pleaded that the initiative be sustained and expanded and should not only serve as an avenue for reflection and discourse but also as a mechanism for setting clear benchmarks for professional ethics, continuous legal education and justice sector reforms.

This maiden edition of the annual lecture, with the theme: “Half-A-Century of the Body of Benchers: The Past, The Present, and The Future of Maintaining the Ethics of the Legal Profession in Nigeria”, was delivered by a former governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.

Kekere-Ekun, who was sworn in as the 23rd CJN and second female to ascend the office after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August last year, hit the ground running. The CJN, who has a track record for transformational leadership, pledged to elevate the judiciary to new heights, improve its reputation, and sustain public confidence in the judicial system.

”We will make sure that people have more confidence in the judiciary, and I believe that it is not a one-man job. We all have to be on board because we all see the areas that are in need of improvement.

”Let us all have faith in the system and then also be particular about the process of appointment, I know it is a source of a lot of concern; the issue of discipline on the bench and at the bar as well. All of these things are aspects that we will look into and I believe that by the grace of God, at the end of my tenure, we should be able to have a judiciary that we will all be proud of,” the CJN promised.

Blueprint is of the opinion that eight months into her stewardship, Kekere-Ekun is walking her talk. She has initiated judicial reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and public confidence in the legal system. The CJN has also prioritised judicial independence and technological advancements. (Blueprint Editorial)