NBA failing to discipline erring lawyers – SAN

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Charles Mekwunye, has criticised the Nigerian Bar Association for failing to effectively discipline lawyers who breach the ethical and professional rules of the legal profession.

Mekwunye said that the Nigerian Bar Association is not performing very well in the area of disciplining lawyers who violate the ethics and rules of the legal profession.

He stated this while responding to questions from journalists on the trend of lawyers openly criticising judges and maligning them when dissatisfied with the outcome of decided cases.

“Lawyers have ethics, we have rules. When those rules are flagged, it is the role of the NBA to report, investigate, and refer cases to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. That process is not being followed effectively,” he said.

Mekwunye made these remarks on Monday while speaking about the forthcoming presentation of a book in honour of the retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

He said the book, which will be presented on May 8, 2025, in Abuja, is titled “Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, CJN, GCON, Through the Cases.” It is co-authored by himself and Mr. Ayo Olanrewaju.

According to him, the book presents a detailed review of how Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, former Chief Justice of Nigeria and now Chairman of the Body of Benchers, spent 22 years serving in the appellate courts, first at the Court of Appeal and later at the Supreme Court.

Among those expected to attend the book presentation are former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; the current Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Moronkeji Kekere-Ekun; and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), among others.

Mekwunye emphasised that the NBA has a clear responsibility to discipline members who breach professional conduct rules. He noted that the association has not been effective in fulfilling this duty. “That role, I would say, the NBA is not performing very well. NBA is not holding lawyers to account,” he said.

He noted that while there are ongoing efforts within the association to address the issue, stronger leadership and accountability are needed.

“We are working on it, and that is something the NBA President should pay particular attention to,” he said.

Speaking on the book, Mekwunye described Justice Ariwoola as a courageous judge who, at the Supreme Court, always towed the path of justice.

He compared Justice Ariwoola to legendary jurists such as Lord Denning and Lord Viscount Simmonds. While not a reformist like Lord Denning, he said Ariwoola was certainly not as ultra-conservative as Lord Viscount Simmonds, concluding that he could be best described as a conservative judge.

Mekwunye further noted that the book reveals the character and ethos of Justice Ariwoola. He added that it would be a useful reference for judges and aspiring judges, as it highlights many of the landmark cases the jurist decided.

“His lordship is a fearless, strong-willed and incorruptible jurist. A consummate jurist who has diligently and meticulously, and in a very relaxed manner, offered effortlessly unquantifiable services to Nigeria in all the tiers of our courts with his judicial pronouncements and administrative competence.

“His lordship’s considerable experience in the study and practice of law, spanning over four decades, made him a reservoir of knowledge,” Mekwunye said.

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