By Hassanat Adebowale

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has expressed deep concern over what she described as a decline in adherence to ethical principles within the legal profession. Speaking on Wednesday at the inaugural edition of the Annual Lecture of the Body of Benchers in Abuja, the CJN highlighted the growing challenges to maintaining professional ethics in the legal sector and society at large.

Justice Kekere-Ekun urged legal practitioners to recommit themselves to the core values of ethics, discipline, and professional responsibility to reverse the trend. “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,” she stated.

The CJN emphasized the importance of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) in enforcing professional discipline, stressing that this must be carried out with fairness, transparency, and resolve.

The event also featured the public presentation of the report on the Directions of the LPDC. As chair of the inaugural lecture, Justice Kekere-Ekun commended the leadership and members of the Body of Benchers for their vision and dedication in launching the initiative. She described the lecture as a critical platform for intellectual engagement, practical dialogue, and reflective discussions on the future of the legal profession.

According to the CJN, the lecture will serve multiple purposes, including shedding light on the Body of Benchers’ role both nationally and internationally, addressing ethical challenges in the profession, and fostering a forward-thinking agenda to strengthen the legal system. “It will also help in presenting a forward-looking agenda for strengthening the legal profession while enhancing public confidence in the judiciary and legal practice,” she noted.

Justice Kekere-Ekun called for the lecture series to be sustained and expanded to establish clear benchmarks for professional ethics, promote continuous legal education, and advocate for justice sector reforms.

The maiden lecture, themed “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,” marks a significant step toward ensuring integrity and professional discipline in the country’s legal landscape.

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