Amid calls for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s justice sector, Desmond Orisewezie, a member of the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has urged lawyers to confront systemic failings and push for stronger support for legal aid services to ensure equal access to justice.
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Orisewezie made the remarks as a guest on TV Central’s 9 O’Clock News while reacting to comments by His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, who had called for decisive action against corruption, inequality, and barriers that hinder justice.
He warned that public trust remains the lifeblood of the judiciary, stressing that without confidence in the system, even the most accurate judgments risk being undermined by public suspicion.
Echoing the Sultan’s concerns, Orisewezie faulted the political grip on anti-graft institutions and argued that leadership appointments must be based on merit and independence rather than political patronage. According to him, the judiciary must not only project independence but also operate as a truly impartial institution in practice.
On access to justice, he was unequivocal: Nigeria must strengthen its legal aid framework to protect the poor and vulnerable. Citing the United Kingdom as an example, he noted that state-backed legal aid ensures no citizen is denied justice solely due to poverty.
His remarks were underscored by troubling statistics. The Legal Aid Council handled 7,140 cases in 2024, up from 6,709 in 2023, yet continues to face severe funding shortfalls. At the same time, data from the Nigerian Correctional Service indicates that more than 60 percent of inmates remain in custody awaiting trial, with 40 percent unable to afford legal representation.
As the Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference (AGC) 2025 progresses, Orisewezie urged participants to move beyond rhetoric and use the gathering as a platform for meaningful reforms. He stressed that expanding access to justice through proper funding of legal aid is not only a professional duty but also a moral imperative for rebuilding public trust in the judiciary.
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