A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, FCIArb, has emphasized the critical importance of restoring public trust in Nigeria’s legal system, warning that failure to do so could lead to grave consequences for the legal profession and society.
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In a goodwill message to the Nigerian Bar Association, Gwagwalada Branch, on the occasion of their 2026 Annual Law Week, Akangbe warmly felicitated the Branch Executive, the Planning Committee, and the entire membership.
The Senior Advocate described the Law Week theme, “Rebuilding Public Trust in the Nigerian Legal System,” as both timely and profoundly significant.
“Public trust remains the lifeblood of every credible justice system. As lawyers, we are ministers in the temple of justice, entrusted with the sacred duty of defending the rule of law and safeguarding the integrity of legal institutions,” he stated.
Akangbe issued a stark warning about the consequences of failing to restore public confidence in the legal system.
“It must be said with sincerity that if trust is not restored in our legal system, the consequences will be grave. Once the public loses confidence in the courts and the legal process, people will inevitably resort to extrajudicial means in the pursuit of justice,” he said.
The former NBA Lagos Chairman warned that the legal profession itself faces existential risks if public trust continues to erode.
“In such circumstances, lawyers risk becoming irrelevant in society, retaining the title but losing the substance and dignity of the profession. Ultimately, the absence of trust in the justice system breeds disorder and threatens the foundations of civil society,” Akangbe stated.
The Senior Advocate emphasized the shared responsibility of both lawyers and judges in restoring public trust.
“The responsibility therefore rests jointly on the Bar and the Bench to consciously rebuild and sustain public confidence in our legal system. If we all make the necessary sacrifices today, the profession will reap the rewards tomorrow,” he said.
The former NBA Lagos Chairman concluded his goodwill message by wishing the Gwagwalada Branch a successful event.
“I wish the Branch a most successful and impactful Law Week,” Akangbe stated.
The message underscores the growing concern within the legal profession about public perception of Nigeria’s justice system and the urgent need for reforms to restore confidence among citizens.
The 2026 Annual Law Week of the NBA Gwagwalada Branch provides a timely platform for legal practitioners to engage with the critical issue of public trust and explore practical solutions to rebuild confidence in legal institutions.
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