The Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, Hon Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has 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.
The CJN, at the public presentation of the report of the Directions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee held at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja, said law practitioners need to recommit themselves to the fundamental values of ethics, discipline, and professional responsibility.
She 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.”
The CJN who chaired the inaugural edition of the Body of Benchers annual lecture and the public presentation of the Body of Benchers Law Report, praised the chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, and the entire members of the Body for their foresight and dedication in initiating the lecture.
She said that 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.
According to her, 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.
The CJN further explained that the lecture would address challenges and future 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.
She 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.
