Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, has raised an alarm over what he describes as the rapid collapse of ethics, discipline, and integrity within the Nigerian legal profession, warning that the silence of elders of the Bar is accelerating the decline.
In a strongly worded statement posted on his X handle, Okutepa said he woke up “with a heavy heart,” lamenting that the profession that once prided itself as noble and honourable is now “fast becoming something else in Nigeria.”
According to him, “The ethics of the profession which placed obligations on lawyers to be the leading light in society appear to be observed in the breach in most cases and in all dimensions. Integrity and honesty are fast falling apart in the legal profession and have become essential commodities.”
The respected silk said the Code of Conduct for legal practitioners is now routinely violated “with impunity and arrogance,” while lawyers increasingly do “what they like, not what is permitted or allowed by professional ethics.”
He recalled that the profession once had revered elders whose voices commanded respect and whose integrity shaped the culture of the Bar.
“In those days, there were elders whose words were respected. These elders were honest and respected by all. They lived lives that were almost like deity. When they saw evil, they did not condone it,” he said.
But today, he said, the moral guardians of the Bar have gone missing.
“I am wondering why our elders in the profession are keeping quiet in the face of deteriorating ethics at the Bar and on the Bench. Our elders have become so invisible and blind to all sorts of unethical conduct,” Okutepa lamented.
He warned that the decay now threatens society itself:
“Too many things are wrong with the profession now. It is affecting the society negatively. Our professional association seems to be in a quagmire of integrity too.”
Okutepa noted that the profession has degenerated to the point where indiscipline is now defended as “fundamental rights,” while blatant breaches of ethics are justified under the guise of freedom of expression and association.
He expressed concern that even the most damaging litigations undermining rule of law and democratic development are products of misconduct within the legal profession.
“Dishonesty and selfish interests have been elevated to the ethics of the legal profession contrary to the codified code of conduct,” he said.
The SAN stressed that the collapse of integrity in the profession is dangerous and must not continue.
He therefore issued an urgent appeal:
“I appeal to our elders to call a meeting to discuss the future of the legal profession in Nigeria. The silence of our elders is doing incalculable damage to the nobility of the legal profession.”
According to him, the younger generation is in dire need of guidance.
“The younger generation needs the guidance and direction of the elders of the Bar for the Bar to regain almost its lost glory. This is my appeal,” he stated.
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