Enugu, Nigeria
— The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’adu Abubakar, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, and
South African opposition leader Julius Malema have urged Nigerian lawyers to
remain steadfast in upholding justice and protecting society’s most vulnerable
groups.
They made the call on Sunday at the opening of
the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual Conference held at the
International Conference Centre, Enugu. The conference, themed “Stand Out
and Stand Tall,” emphasized the legal profession’s pivotal role in
promoting fairness, accountability, and societal progress.
Sultan Warns Against “Commodification of
Justice”
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto lamented the
growing erosion of fairness within Nigeria’s justice system.
“Justice is increasingly a purchasable commodity, with the poor suffering
miscarriages while the rich evade accountability,” he said.
He stressed that the rule of law must be preserved to
prevent chaos and instability, urging lawyers to spearhead reforms that align
legislation with cultural values and advance social justice.
“Law and learning are inseparable; continuous reform is vital to address
Nigeria’s governance crisis,” he added.
Gov. Mbah: Enugu Judiciary Undergoing
Transformation
Declaring the conference open, Governor Peter Mbah
outlined his administration’s efforts to strengthen the judiciary and improve
access to justice.
“We are building a fair, functional, and trusted judiciary,” he said.
He highlighted reforms including judicial financial
autonomy, court digitization, and the expansion of the Enugu Multi-Door
Courthouse as a model for alternative dispute resolution.
“These initiatives, consistent with the 1999
Constitution, are designed to enhance the independence and efficiency of our
courts,” Mbah added.
Malema: Lawyers Are “Guardians of
Liberation”
Delivering the keynote address, South Africa’s Julius
Malema described lawyers as indispensable to Africa’s democratic and
liberation struggles.
“While activists protest and governments legislate, lawyers enforce justice in
courts, defending the voiceless and ensuring fairness,” he said.
He called the legal profession “a calling of sacrifice
and intellect” central to achieving equality, justice, and democratic
consolidation across the continent.
NBA Leaders: Call for Transformation
NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, hailed
Malema’s participation as proof of the legal profession’s relevance in Africa’s
wider fight for justice and economic self-determination.
“Lawyers must lead Nigeria’s economic transformation
through anti-corruption, regulatory reforms, and investments in infrastructure
and digital literacy,” Osigwe stated.
Echoing the call, Enugu NBA Chairman Chief Venatus
Odoh reaffirmed the association’s commitment to defending the rule of law,
strengthening democracy, and ensuring justice for all Nigerians.
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