NBA Advocates Establishment of Judicial Public Complaints Committee Against Erring Lawyers
Ahmad Muhammad
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for the establishment of Judicial Public Complaints Committee to strengthen ethical standards, and implement stricter disciplinary measures for unethical conduct by some lawyers in the legal profession.
This was contained in a communique issued by the NBA’s department of Legal Practice (NBA-SLP) during its Annual Conference, 2024 Theme: Administration of Justice in Nigeria: Challenges & Reform Venue held in Kano.
The communique signed by the Boma Alabi, SAN Chairman Section On Legal Practice, said the committee, if established, would promote a culture of ethics and professionalism within the legal profession.
The communique acknowledged the growing concern over the erosion of public trust in the legal profession due to unethical practices by some lawyers.
Participants called for stricter enforcement of ethical codes of conduct and disciplinary measures for lawyers who engage in frivolous litigation, delay tactics, and other unethical practices that undermine the integrity of the legal system.
“The conference also proposed the establishment of a Judicial Public Complaints Committee to investigate allegations of judicial misconduct and promote accountability within the judiciary”
The Kano NBA annual conference, served as a crucial platform for in-depth discussions and deliberations among legal practitioners, judges, policymakers, academics, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, deeply invested in the Nigerian justice system.
The conference aimed to critically assess the current state of the justice system, identify its most pressing challenges, and propose innovative solutions to foster a more efficient, equitable, and accessible legal framework for all Nigerians.
The communique called for the provision of adequate research assistance to judges to enable well-informed decision-making and ensure that judges are adequately remunerated to attract and retain top legal talent.
“Promote the adoption of technological innovations in the justice system:
Accelerate the digitalization of court processes through electronic filing, online case management, and virtual hearings.”
The conference called for the investment in technology to support digital transformation by providing training and support to legal professionals and court staff to ensure effective use of digital tools.
The NBA advocated for measures to expedite case resolution, Set clear time frames for different types of cases, impose sanctions on lawyers who engage in frivolous adjournments.
