A civil organization, the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy, called on the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) on Friday in Abuja to take immediate action against certain lawyers accused of launching unwarranted and persistent attacks on the country’s judiciary and its judges.
The group also issued a warning to Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, and Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, urging them to refrain from making disparaging comments about judicial officials.
As an advocacy body dedicated to reform, the Centre stated that it has examined the justifications presented by various lawyers and individuals for their criticisms of judges, concluding that these attacks are “unnecessary, unfounded, and unjustifiable.”
In a press briefing held in Abuja, Barrister Kalu Agu, the Director of Legal Services at the Centre, expressed concern that “such attacks not only undermine the rule of law but also diminish public confidence in our institutions.”
“Unfortunately, numerous lawyers are leading these relentless assaults on Nigeria’s judiciary,” he noted. “These legal professionals often attack judges’ characters following unfavorable court outcomes. This unprofessional behavior must come to an end,” the Centre asserted.
Barrister Agu emphasized that this damaging trend threatens the very foundation of the justice system, asserting the importance of the judiciary as the protector of justice and our constitutional rights.
He called for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to unify in its support for judges in their pursuit of justice and to foster a culture that respects the judiciary.
The Centre demanded action from the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee against lawyers who engage in the harmful practice of attacking judges in Nigeria.
It highlighted the necessity for collective efforts to protect the judiciary’s independence and integrity, warning that “failure to address these attacks could lead our nation into chaos, anarchy, and lawlessness.”
The group pointed out that judges base their verdicts on the evidence and legal precedents presented to them. While acknowledging that disagreements with judicial decisions are natural, Barrister Agu maintained that “violence, intimidation, and blackmail of judges are entirely unacceptable.”
The Centre criticized the comments made by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu and Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere as “unwarranted” and cautioned them against further undermining the judiciary without justification.
Barrister Agu stressed that professionalism and decorum must not be abandoned under the guise of advocating for clients.
“While we recognize their fundamental right to free speech, it is unethical for any lawyer to embroil the judiciary in controversy,” he stated.
The Centre respectfully urged the Nigerian Bar Association to take a stand and sanction lawyers who attack judges to bolster their own egos after losing cases.
“It is the responsibility of the Nigerian Bar Association to protect the judiciary from baseless criticisms, as judges cannot respond to such attacks or defend themselves. Their impartiality and silence in the face of unjust criticism reflect strength, not weakness.”
Furthermore, the group encouraged the NBA to ensure its members uphold the integrity of the judiciary, strengthen public trust in the justice system, and educate clients and the public about the judicial process.
“If the Nigerian Bar Association does not safeguard the judiciary, these persistent assaults on judges by lawyers will tarnish the legal profession’s reputation, erode its credibility, and undermine public confidence in the justice system, ultimately compromising justice,” Agu warned.
Additionally, the Centre urged lawyers and litigants to utilize proper channels to express their grievances, emphasizing that aside from exercising their constitutional right to appeal, they can also file complaints with the National Judicial Council (NJC) regarding any judge on grounds of bias or corruption.
