Former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo don raise fresh concern about how Nigerians dey see Supreme Court for electoral matters. For one fireside chat during Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice yearly conference for 2026, Osinbajo talk say even though Supreme Court decisions na final by constitution, that finality no mean say the public go automatically accept am as correct.
Osinbajo warn say judiciary must careful no to dey look like dem dey impose results on voters. He talk say inconsistencies and disregard for precedent for electoral cases dey spoil public trust. “The credibility of the judiciary depend not only on legal correctness,” Osinbajo yarn, “but also on transparency, consistency, and clarity for judicial reasoning, especially for political cases wey dey sensitive.”
Meanwhile, Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun don call lawyers to uphold ethical standards. She give this charge yesterday for the same NBA-SLP conference wey theme am “Evolving Trends: Nigerian Legal Practice, Global Perspectives.” CJN talk say even though lawyers deserve fair payment, that money matter must follow conscience, professional responsibility, and justice.
Kekere-Ekun express concern say some lawyers dey take briefs mainly because of money, without proper regard for clients’ rights or sound legal principles. She warn say this kind approach fit reduce law practice to “transactional advocacy rather than principled interpretation.”
“The lawyer occupy unique position as both advocate for client and minister for temple of justice,” CJN talk. She add say long-term credibility of legal profession depend on ethical courage, intellectual honesty, and strong commitment to rule of law.
CJN also highlight how technology, Artificial Intelligence, and cross-border transactions dey change legal practice globally. She talk say lawyers must adapt to these changes but still hold their foundational principles. “We must embrace innovation without compromising ethical standards,” she yarn, “adopt technology without eroding human element of justice, and pursue global relevance while preserving our legal system foundation.”
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu join the call for lawyers to embrace innovation and technology. Governor wey Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Lawal Pedro (SAN) represent for the conference, describe Lagos as “commercial nerve centre” of Nigeria and hub of legal innovation. He commend NBA-SLP for sustaining the yearly conference tradition.
The Nation newspaper report say CJN specifically warn against “transactional legal practice” wey dey focus on money over justice. Kekere-Ekun talk say practice of law must never become “mere commercial enterprise driven solely by financial reward.” She emphasize say lawyer duty extend beyond winning cases to include assisting court achieve justice and discouraging frivolous litigation.
Both Osinbajo and CJN stress the need for collaboration between Bench and Bar to build justice system wey fit inspire public confidence. Osinbajo call for continuous improvement through better appointment processes, stronger adherence to precedent, and enhanced accountability mechanisms.
As legal profession face rapid changes from technology, globalization, and shifting societal expectations, these senior figures dey remind practitioners say their credibility go depend on how dem balance innovation with core values. The warnings come amid ongoing public debate about judicial integrity and transparency for Nigeria.
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