The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has urged lawyers and judicial officers to uphold integrity and ethical standards in the administration of justice, warning that public confidence in the legal profession would continue to decline if ethical values are compromised.
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Dipeolu said integrity remains the most valuable currency in the justice system, stressing that no amount of legislation can restore public trust once integrity disappears from the legal profession.
The Chief Judge spoke on Thursday at the Annual Bar Lecture of the Nigerian Bar Association, Sagamu Branch, held at the Banquet Hall of NANDAS Hotel, Sagamu, Ogun State.
The event was attended by the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; Justice Catherine Ogunsanya of the Ogun State High Court, who delivered the keynote address; Mr. Olatunde Adejuyigbe, SAN; judges, lawyers and judicial officers from across the state.
Represented by Justice A.O. Jibodu, Dipeolu delivered a lecture titled, “Justice with Integrity: Upholding Ethical Standards in the Practice of Law.”
She said the major concern of citizens was not the absence of laws, but whether institutions entrusted with administering the law still uphold the values that give the justice system legitimacy.
“When citizens speak about the legal profession today, they rarely complain about a lack of laws. Nigeria has no shortage of laws. What concerns many citizens is whether the institutions entrusted with administering those laws remain faithful to the values that give the law legitimacy.
“Justice without integrity becomes power. Law without integrity becomes manipulation. Procedure without integrity becomes oppression,” she said.
Dipeolu described integrity as the foundation of legal practice, warning that it must not be treated as a mere ornament of the profession.
According to her, lawyers occupy a unique position in society because they deal directly with justice, adding that society depends on the belief that disputes can be resolved fairly and peacefully through the legal system.
She warned that once citizens lose confidence in the justice system, they may resort to alternative means of seeking justice, a development she described as dangerous for any society.
“A lawyer may be brilliant. A lawyer may be eloquent. A lawyer may know every reported authority from 1960 till date. Yet, without integrity, such brilliance becomes dangerous,” she said.
The Chief Judge identified growing financial pressure, intense competition for clients, social media influence and the erosion of traditional mentoring structures as some of the ethical challenges confronting legal practitioners today.
She particularly advised young lawyers not to equate success with wealth, visibility or social media popularity.
“A lawyer’s greatest asset is not a luxurious office. It is not a fleet of vehicles. It is not even professional brilliance. A lawyer’s greatest asset is reputation. And reputation is built slowly but can be destroyed suddenly,” Dipeolu stated.
She cited the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN; Chief F.R.A. Williams, SAN; and retired Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa as examples of legal icons whose professional accomplishments were rooted in integrity and character.
Speaking on the role of the judiciary, Dipeolu said judges bear a greater responsibility because the administration of justice ultimately depends on the character and integrity of those entrusted with interpreting and applying the law.
“Courthouses may be magnificent. Constitutions may be beautifully written. Statutes may be carefully drafted. Procedural rules may be meticulously designed. Yet, if those responsible for administering the law lack integrity, justice itself becomes endangered,” she said.
The Chief Judge further noted that judicial integrity goes beyond avoiding corruption, explaining that it also includes diligence, punctuality, courtesy, preparedness, impartiality and the ability to resist external pressures.
She maintained that public confidence in the judiciary is sustained largely by the conduct of judges and lawyers.
“The public may not fully understand legal procedure. They may not appreciate the technical rules of evidence. They may not know the difference between jurisdiction and competence. But they understand honesty. They understand fairness. They understand integrity,” she added.
Dipeolu also called on senior lawyers to deliberately mentor younger practitioners in ethical conduct, noting that professional values do not automatically transfer from one generation to another.
“We cannot assume that ethical values will transfer automatically from one generation to another. They must be taught. They must be demonstrated. They must be reinforced,” she said.
Addressing younger members of the profession, the Chief Judge urged them to protect their names and focus on long-term professional growth rather than quick financial gain.
“The legal profession is a marathon, not a sprint. Some of the most respected lawyers in our history built their reputations over decades, not months. Your name is your greatest professional investment. Protect it carefully,” she advised.
Dipeolu commended the NBA Sagamu Branch for sustaining the annual lecture series, expressing optimism that the discussions would strengthen the relationship between the Bench and the Bar and deepen commitment to professional ethics.
She also lauded the branch chairman, Mr. G.M. Sofola, and his executive committee for promoting intellectual engagement and professional reflection within the legal profession.
Delivering the keynote address, Justice Ogunsanya urged members of both the Bar and the Bench to prioritise integrity, which she described as the bedrock of a sound judicial system and a just society.
She said the present generation of lawyers and judicial officers must maintain the highest ethical standards in order to leave behind an enduring legacy of integrity, exemplary leadership and professional conduct for future generations.
Speaking on the theme, “Integrity in Advocacy: Ethical Lawyering in the Age of Technology and Social Change,” Adejuyigbe cautioned lawyers against relying on artificial intelligence-generated information without conducting thorough checks to verify its authenticity.
The senior advocate warned that the use of AI in preparing legal processes has limitations and is susceptible to errors.
“One common error of generative AI is hallucination. It occurs when an advocate who relies on AI for relevant judicial authorities and statutes in support of a case ends up with convincing but fabricated cases and statutes,” Adejuyigbe said.
He noted that lawyers in different jurisdictions had been sanctioned for presenting fictitious cases generated by AI, urging legal practitioners to exercise extreme caution in using such tools.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NBA Sagamu Branch, Mr. G.M. Sofola, said the annual Bar Lecture was designed to interrogate contemporary issues, broaden the horizons of lawyers and strengthen their capacity to contribute more effectively to the practice of law and the administration of justice in the country.
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