Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, has raised alarm over what he described as the declining standards of the legal profession in Nigeria, warning that urgent reforms are needed to restore its integrity and relevance in safeguarding democracy.
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In a strongly worded statement, Okutepa expressed pride in being a member of the legal profession but lamented that it has failed in recent times to promote good governance and accountability.
“No matter what, the profession God blessed me to be a member of is the legal profession. It is a good profession. I am proud to be a lawyer. Be that as it may, I am sad that the profession is not doing well to help install good governance and accountability in Nigeria,” he said.
He stressed that the legal profession must take a leading role in rescuing Nigeria’s democracy by rising above partisan interests and returning to its foundational principles.
According to him, the profession has become increasingly tolerant of misconduct and impunity, a trend he warned could erode public confidence and diminish its standing in society.
“The legal profession must return to its roots, guided by the Rules of Professional Conduct, both at the Bar and on the Bench. These rules once made the profession the envy of all,” he noted.
Okutepa lamented that the respect and authority once associated with the legal profession had significantly declined, adding that it must now impose stricter discipline on its members to regain credibility.
He called on both lawyers and judges to confront what he described as “self-inflicted embarrassment” within the profession and to resist the use of legal processes for political ends.
“We must put an end to a situation where the profession is used to destroy justice or deny justice on the altar of political considerations,” he said.
The senior lawyer also urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take a more proactive role in defending the rule of law and ensuring that legislation aligns with constitutional principles.
He specifically criticised certain provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, describing them as unconstitutional and a threat to access to justice.
Okutepa pointed to sections imposing heavy financial penalties on lawyers and litigants, including fines of up to N10 million for cases deemed to be internal party affairs, arguing that such provisions could intimidate legal practitioners and discourage legitimate litigation.
“The imposition of such huge costs is not in the interest of justice. It is capable of infusing fear and timidity in counsel and undermining the right to fair hearing,” he said.
He further questioned provisions that limit grounds for election petitions, warning that they could restrict legal redress for candidates and voters.
Calling for urgent action, Okutepa urged the NBA to review the Electoral Act and ensure that laws passed by the legislature do not undermine justice or the practice of law.
He concluded by warning that unless the legal profession retraces its steps and rediscovers its core values, it risks losing its relevance in Nigerian society.
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