By Nkechi Eze
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has issued a clarion call to legal practitioners across Nigeria to uphold the ethics and integrity of the legal profession, warning that the conduct of lawyers continues to shape public perception of the justice system.
Demola Bakare the commission’s spokesperson in an official signed statement disclosed that Dr. Aliyu made the appeal on Saturday in Kano during the official launch of Ungogo Bar Voice, a new legal publication dedicated to deepening professional reflection, ethical practice, and legal reform. Addressing a distinguished audience of legal minds, including judges, academics, and practitioners, the ICPC boss stressed the need for legal professionals to become “gatekeepers of justice” and not instruments of impunity.
“For me, this publication is more than a journal, it is a platform for reflection, engagement, and reform,” Aliyu said, charging the legal community to introspect on the current direction of their profession.
He decried the increasing reports of professional misconduct and complicity in acts that undermine the justice system, warning that the very foundation of the legal profession ethics is under threat.
“Day by day, public perception of legal practice is being shaped by what practitioners do or fail to do,” he said. “We cannot afford to lose sight of our solemn duty to the public.”
Aliyu emphasized the importance of the publication in providing intellectual engagement on issues of law and practice. He called on legal academics and practitioners, particularly in Kano State, to scrutinize and engage with judicial decisions critically but constructively, noting that such contributions were vital for advancing legal scholarship.
The ICPC Chairman further highlighted the role of technology in transforming the legal landscape, urging practitioners to embrace innovation responsibly.
“From e-filing to virtual hearings, we must embrace technology, but always within the bounds of ethical practice,” he said. “Innovation without regulation can erode public confidence in justice. Legal tech must serve justice, not reduce it to a mere transaction.”
He also advocated for sweeping reforms in legal education, calling for the inclusion of ethics, public interest law, and digital literacy as core elements in law training curricula. Referencing recent Supreme Court decisions on local government autonomy, Aliyu urged lawyers to uphold the doctrine of judicial precedent and resist efforts to undermine apex court rulings through frivolous or diversionary suits.
“We must confront corruption head-on,” he declared. “Do not lend your skills to undermining apex court decisions. We have a responsibility to preserve the integrity of the judicial system.”
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Aliyu expressed hope that Ungogo Bar Voice would evolve into a leading platform for professional growth, responsible legal commentary, and a beacon of ethical consciousness within the Nigerian Bar.
Also speaking at the event, prominent constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, cautioned against personal attacks on members of the judiciary. While acknowledging that judicial decisions should be subject to critical review, he emphasized that such scrutiny must not degenerate into character assaults.
“Court judgments are open to scrutiny, but we must focus our criticism on the judgment itself, not the judge,” Ozekhome said. “Let our energy be used to advance justice, not undermine it.”
Justice Helen Ogunwumiju of the Supreme Court also lent her voice to the call for reform. She encouraged legal scholars and practitioners to offer constructive criticism of court rulings and to play an active role in shaping Nigeria’s jurisprudence.
“Legal practitioners must align themselves with efforts to strengthen our legal system and give unwavering support to reforms that enhance the delivery of justice,” she said.
The launch of Ungogo Bar Voice marks a new chapter in legal discourse within Nigeria’s northern legal community, with stakeholders hopeful that it will inspire a renaissance in ethics, accountability, and jurisprudential depth across the legal profession.
