The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has reiterated the pressing need for legal practitioners in Nigeria to uphold ethical standards in their practice.
Speaking at the official launch of Ungogo Bar Voice in Kano, a legal-oriented publication, Dr. Aliyu described the journal as more than a scholarly outlet, calling it “a platform for professional reflection, engagement, and a reform instrument.”
He charged the legal community to reflect deeply on the current state and direction of the profession.
“Day by day, public perception of legal practice is being shaped by what practitioners do or fail to do,” he noted.
He expressed concern that “ethics, which is the bedrock of the legal profession, is now facing threats from rising allegations of professional misconduct and complicity in acts that undermine the very system we swore to defend.”
Emphasising the role of lawyers as gatekeepers of justice, Dr. Aliyu warned against turning legal representation into an instrument of impunity.
He called for rigorous scrutiny of court decisions, especially those from Kano State, to foster scholarship and accountability in the legal system.
The ICPC Chairman also addressed the growing impact of technology on the legal landscape, stating: “Legal innovation is reshaping our professional landscape.
“From e-filing to virtual hearings, we must embrace technology, but always within the bounds of ethical practice. Innovation without regulation can erode public confidence in justice. Legal tech must serve justice, not reduce it to a mere transaction.”
He stressed the need to reform legal education, highlighting ethics, public interest law, and digital literacy as essential components for training future lawyers.
Reflecting on recent Supreme Court rulings, especially on local government autonomy, he urged lawyers to respect judicial precedents and avoid filing diversionary or frivolous suits.
“We have a responsibility to preserve the integrity of the judicial system. Let Ungogo Bar Voice become a beacon of responsible legal commentary, professional development, and ethical consciousness in the Nigerian Bar.”
Also speaking at the event, renowned legal expert Mike Ozekhome, SAN, emphasized that while court judgments can be critiqued, personal attacks on judges must be avoided.
“The focus of criticism should be on judgments, not the judges,” he advised. “Energy should be deployed to advance justice, not to undermine it.”
Justice Helen Ogunwumiju added her voice, urging legal academics and practitioners to engage in constructive critique of judicial decisions.
She called for unwavering support for legal reform and the strengthening of Nigeria’s jurisprudence.