Retired Judge Accuses NBA Of Failing To Address Petitions Against Senior Lawyers
Retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo has criticized the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for allegedly failing to address petitions against influential lawyers.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Law Weekly program on Saturday, January 11, 2025, Justice Taiwo accused the NBA of turning a blind eye to complaints involving powerful legal practitioners.
“We have seen cases involving very senior lawyers, and petitions are written, but they never see the light of day,” he said. “The NBA must rise to the occasion and ensure that lawyers, regardless of their status, are held accountable. The heavens will not fall.”
Justice Taiwo urged the NBA to address misconduct transparently and without fear or favor. “Let us open the backside of the ostrich or the turkey and let people see what A or B are doing. If it’s a disservice to the legal profession, the NBA must act,” he added.
He criticized a perceived culture of mutual complacency within the profession, suggesting that senior lawyers are often shielded from accountability. “It’s a matter of rubbing each other’s back. Why can’t one offend so and so? If someone is tarnishing the profession, they must be called out,” Taiwo said.
The retired judge also linked the issue of conflicting judgments in Nigeria’s judiciary to poor communication and lack of synergy among judges. He called for the establishment of mechanisms to circulate judgments widely to avoid inconsistencies.
Justice Taiwo further questioned the effectiveness of the LPDC, stating that it has failed to enforce disciplinary actions robustly.
His remarks come amid growing calls for greater transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s legal profession to uphold its integrity.
