The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has expressed deep concern over the declining adherence to ethical principles in the country’s legal profession. She noted that professional discipline among lawyers is weakening and emphasized the urgent need to restore integrity and accountability in legal practice.
Speaking on Wednesday at the public presentation of the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee report, held at the Body of Benchers’ Complex in Abuja, Justice Kekere-Ekun underscored the growing ethical challenges faced by the legal community. She called for an immediate recommitment to core values such as ethics, discipline, and professional responsibility.
To address the situation, the CJN advocated for stricter enforcement of disciplinary measures through the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC). She stressed that legal discipline must be upheld with fairness, transparency, and unwavering commitment.
“The Body of Benchers, as the highest institution of the legal profession in Nigeria, is uniquely positioned to lead this effort,” she stated. “The responsibility of maintaining the sanctity of the legal profession rests on its shoulders, and I am confident that it will continue to rise to the occasion.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun made these remarks while presiding over the inaugural edition of the Body of Benchers Annual Lecture and the launch of the Body of Benchers Law Report. She praised the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and other members for their dedication to advancing the legal profession.
She highlighted the importance of the lecture series, stating that it serves as a platform for intellectual engagement, practical discourse, and critical evaluation of the legal profession’s ethical standards. The initiative aims to:
Increase awareness of the Body of Benchers’ role in legal practice and professional discipline.
Facilitate well-researched discussions on successes, challenges, and prospects within the legal profession.
Strengthen ethical standards to ensure the highest levels of discipline, integrity, and professionalism among lawyers.
Enhance public confidence in the judiciary and legal system.
Justice Kekere-Ekun urged that the lecture series be sustained and expanded, serving not just as a forum for discourse but also as a tool for setting clear ethical benchmarks, promoting continuous legal education, and advancing justice sector reforms.
The maiden edition of the annual lecture was themed: “Half a Century of the Body of Benchers: The Past, Present, and Future of Maintaining the Ethics of the Legal Profession in Nigeria.”
