Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has said the 2025/26 Supreme Court Legal Year is not only a moment of pride but also a call to deeper reflection, stressing that the judiciary’s progress must be matched by sustained reforms.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
Ubani, who attended the ceremony in Abuja where 57 new Senior Advocates were formally conferred, remarked that the event reflected growth within the justice system, noting that “the position of the judiciary today is not the same as it was a year ago.”
He acknowledged that progress has been made in substantive and procedural aspects of law, but warned that concerns raised by leaders of the bar and bench underscored the urgent need for continuous improvement.
At the event, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, reviewed steps taken so far in judicial reforms and urged the new SANs to carry out their duties with integrity and humility. Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, reiterated government’s commitment to transparency and access to justice, while former NBA President, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, urged the apex court to strengthen consistency in precedents to resolve conflicting judgments.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, went further by raising constitutional concerns about the extent of executive power during emergency rule, pointing to cases such as that of Bright Ngene in Enugu whose appeal has stalled due to repeated recusals. He also pressed for reform of Nigeria’s bail system, which he said unfairly discriminates against the poor.
According to Ubani, these interventions gave the ceremony deeper significance. He described the rank of Senior Advocate as more than a personal honour, calling it “a reminder of the weighty duty to safeguard justice and remain a source of hope for the ordinary citizen.”
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
