LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Afam Osigwe and legal scholar Lateef Akangbe have called on lawyers across the country to take the lead in driving justice system reform efforts, emphasizing the need to restore public confidence in the judiciary and ensure effective implementation of reform initiatives.
The two legal figures made the call during a stakeholders’ forum on judicial reform held in Lagos on Wednesday, where they underscored the critical role of the legal profession in shaping the future of Nigeria’s justice sector. They argued that lawyers, as frontline actors in the administration of justice, must move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action to address systemic challenges.
Osigwe, who assumed leadership of the NBA in 2025, stressed that public confidence in the judiciary has been eroded by perceptions of corruption, delays in case resolution, and inconsistent application of the law. He noted that restoring that confidence requires deliberate and sustained efforts by legal practitioners to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct.
The NBA president called on lawyers to embrace the reform agenda as a professional responsibility rather than a policy option. He highlighted the need for improved case management systems, enhanced use of technology in court proceedings, and greater transparency in judicial appointments and disciplinary processes. He also urged lawyers to actively participate in policy advocacy and legislative engagement to ensure that reform bills are not only passed but effectively implemented.
Akangbe, a prominent legal scholar and commentator, echoed Osigwe’s sentiments, noting that the justice system must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing society. He argued that lawyers must be at the forefront of this evolution, leveraging their expertise to design and advocate for reforms that make justice more accessible, affordable, and efficient for all Nigerians
He specifically identified the issue of prolonged pre-trial detention as a pressing concern that requires urgent legislative and administrative action. Akangbe noted that thousands of Nigerians remain in custody without trial, often for minor offences, due to a combination of systemic inefficiencies and lack of legal representation. He called on lawyers to provide pro bono services and to work with the Legal Aid Council to address this injustice.
Both speakers also addressed the need for better welfare and working conditions for judicial officers, which they described as critical to attracting and retaining competent judges and magistrates. They urged the federal and state governments to allocate adequate resources to the judiciary and to honour their obligations under the constitution to ensure judicial independence.
The forum, which attracted lawyers, judges, academics, and civil society representatives, concluded with a communiqué calling for the establishment of a national judicial reform task force. The task force would be charged with developing a comprehensive reform blueprint and monitoring its implementation across all levels of the judiciary.
As the call for justice reforms gains momentum, the NBA leadership has promised to convene a national summit on judicial reform later in the year, bringing together all stakeholders to develop actionable recommendations. For now, Osigwe and Akangbe have set the tone: the legal profession must lead the charge for change, not wait for it to be imposed from outside.
