A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun, has called on the judiciary to rid itself of corrupt individuals who threaten the profession’s integrity.
Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), made the remarks during his address at the opening of the Law Week and 70th Anniversary celebration of the NBA Ibadan Branch on Monday.
The event, titled “Law, Legal Practice, and Development,” brought together legal professionals, government officials, and dignitaries from across the country.
Olanipekun emphasized that the judiciary must work to maintain its credibility by identifying and removing bad eggs within the system.
He said, “The judiciary must purge itself of the corrupt and dishonest members who, if left unchecked, will destroy the hard-earned reputation of the profession.”
He further warned that failure to take action against corrupt members would “rubbish the good work of other practitioners” and undermine public trust in the judicial system.
Call for Unity in Sanitation Efforts
Olanipekun also urged the bar and bench to join forces with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in the fight to cleanse the judiciary of corruption.
“We must all work together to ensure that justice is done, and the integrity of our legal system remains intact,” Olanipekun added.
In his speech, the former NBA president stressed that the legal community should avoid personal attacks on judges, particularly in the media, which he described as harmful to the profession.
“Attacking judges in the media does not help anyone. It only worsens the situation,” Olanipekun said.
He further appealed to legal practitioners to always speak and act with integrity, both in and out of court, and to avoid actions like mudslinging, blackmail, and treachery.
“Strife, blackmail, and attempts to pull others down have no place in the legal profession,” he warned. “If our predecessors had engaged in such vices, Ibadan would not be the respected legal community it is today.”
A Vision for a Stronger Legal System
Olanipekun praised the Ibadan Branch of the NBA for its outstanding contributions to the legal profession in Nigeria.
“The Ibadan bar has excelled by every standard,” he said. “Your branch is a leader, setting an example for others to follow.”
He expressed confidence that the Ibadan NBA would continue to flourish and remain at the forefront of the legal profession for years to come.
“In the next 30 years, as you celebrate your centenary, your grass shall remain green and you will continue to thrive,” Olanipekun added.
The 70th Anniversary celebrations are expected to showcase the Ibadan Branch’s leadership and accomplishments in the legal profession.
Deputy Governor Calls for Ethical Conduct
During the ceremony, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Bayo Lawal, also addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct within the legal profession.
“We must always maintain good conduct and ensure that we do not engage in activities that tarnish the image of our profession,” Lawal said.
He highlighted that lawyers must be cautious in their interactions with one another, avoiding actions like blackmail and defamation.
“Such behavior is not a part of our profession, and we must ensure it is not tolerated,” Lawal concluded.
The chairman of the NBA Ibadan Branch, Mr. Ibrahim Lawal, shared that the anniversary celebrations would continue throughout the week, featuring a variety of events.
“The week-long celebration will include a series of exciting activities, and we hope to make a lasting impact in the history of NBA branches in Nigeria,” Lawal said.
He expressed pride in the achievements of the Ibadan Branch, noting that it had set a high standard for other legal communities to follow.
Acknowledging the Ibadan NBA’s Contributions
Mr. Mutalubi Ojo (SAN), chairman of the Law Week and 70th Anniversary Planning Committee, praised the Ibadan Branch for its numerous landmark achievements in the legal field.
“The Ibadan NBA has been at the forefront of numerous significant milestones,” Ojo said. “This celebration is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the legal professionals who have contributed to our success.”