CJN, Osinbajo warn lawyers on integrity, judicial credibility
By Ndukaku Ihe
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has charged legal practitioners to uphold ethics and place justice above financial gain, warning that the integrity of the profession must not be sacrificed for profit.
She gave the admonition on Wednesday in Lagos at the opening of the 2026 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice, themed “Evolving Trends: Nigerian Legal Practice, Global Perspectives.”
Declaring the conference open, Kekere-Ekun stressed that the practice of law must never be reduced to a purely commercial enterprise driven by monetary incentives.
“Law is not, and must never become, a purely commercial venture,” she said, noting that while lawyers are entitled to fair remuneration, the acceptance of briefs must be guided by conscience, professional responsibility, and fidelity to justice.
The CJN expressed concern over a growing trend where some lawyers prioritise financial gain over the enforcement of clients’ rights and the development of jurisprudence.
She warned that such conduct could erode the profession’s integrity and diminish its noble role.
Reminding practitioners of their dual responsibility as advocates and custodians of justice, she emphasised that their duty goes beyond winning cases to assisting courts in delivering justice, discouraging frivolous litigation, and preventing abuse of legal processes.
“The long-term reputation of the legal profession depends not on success alone, but on ethical integrity, intellectual honesty, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law”, she added.
In his remarks, former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, underscored the importance of transparency, consistency, and clarity in judicial reasoning, particularly in politically sensitive cases.
Osinbajo noted that although Supreme Court decisions are final under Nigeria’s Constitution, finality does not always translate to public acceptance or perceived correctness.
“The Supreme Court is final, not because it is always correct, but because litigation must come to an end”, he said.
He warned that controversial electoral judgments have, at times, weakened public confidence in the judiciary, creating what he described as a “legitimacy gap” when decisions appear inconsistent with the will of the electorate.
Citing the 2019 Zamfara governorship dispute, Osinbajo questioned the justice of nullifying votes cast by citizens due to flawed party primaries, arguing that such outcomes may undermine democratic principles.
“The key question is: if the people clearly express their choice, should that not be honoured?” he asked, suggesting that in such cases, fresh elections would better reflect democratic ideals than reallocating votes.
He called for reforms to strengthen judicial quality, including improved appointment processes, adherence to precedent, and stronger accountability mechanisms.
Osinbajo also highlighted the critical role of lawyers in shaping judicial outcomes through quality advocacy, urging strict adherence to professional ethics.
He concluded that Nigeria’s democracy depends on a judiciary that commands both authority and public trust, stressing that confidence in the system remains the ultimate test of its legitimacy.
