Ejiofor urges action to rebuild trust in Nigeria’s judiciary

2026-03-24 - 00:43

By Nwabueze Okonkwo, Onitsha ONITSHA — Prominent legal practitioner, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq., has called on key custodians of the legal profession in Nigeria—including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Body of Benchers, the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), and the Council of Legal Education (CLE)—to take urgent and decisive steps to restore ethical standards, discipline, and public confidence in the judicial system. In a press statement titled “When Nobility Ebbs and the Bar Descends: A Clarion Call to Rescue the Soul of the Legal Profession in Nigeria”, Ejiofor stressed the need for immediate reforms in training, admission, and regulation of legal practitioners. “The time has come to move beyond rhetoric to meaningful reform, to recalibrate entry standards, enforce discipline without fear or favour, and revive the culture of excellence that once defined the Nigerian Bar,” he said. Ejiofor recounted the profession’s illustrious past, highlighting the contributions of legal and judicial icons such as Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa, Justice Kayode Eso, and Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais. He also acknowledged living legends including Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and Chief Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, whose work continues to inspire the Bar. According to Ejiofor, the current decline in professional standards threatens the judiciary’s credibility. He cited concerns over inadequate grounding in courtroom ethics among new entrants, disruptive courtroom conduct, and increasing sharp practices—including deliberate obstruction of legal processes—as factors undermining public trust. “Recent incidents, such as arbitrary acts in court or unethical strategies by even senior practitioners, erode confidence and compromise justice. Such behaviour, if tolerated, fosters a culture where accountability becomes selective and the moral fabric of the profession disintegrates,” he said. Ejiofor warned that without urgent corrective measures, public confidence in the legal system could be severely damaged, undermining the rule of law and the administration of justice. He concluded by urging the NBA, the Body of Benchers, LPDC, and CLE to act decisively, uphold merit and integrity, and ensure that the Nigerian Bar continues to reflect the nobility and discipline that once defined it.