***Demand Urgent Reform of Electoral Act
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, has raised fresh concerns over what he described as the steady decline in the integrity and influence of the legal profession, warning that its failure to uphold justice and accountability could weaken Nigeria’s democracy.
In a reflective but strongly worded statement, Okutepa said although he remains proud to be a member of the Bar, the profession is no longer living up to its historic responsibility as a defender of justice and good governance.
He lamented that the legal community has increasingly tolerated impunity and ethical lapses, a development he said has eroded public trust and diminished the respect the profession once commanded.
According to him, the profession must urgently return to its foundational principles, guided strictly by its Rules of Professional Conduct, both at the Bar and on the Bench, to regain credibility and moral authority.
He warned that failure to enforce discipline among its members could render the profession irrelevant, stressing that self-regulation and accountability are critical to restoring confidence in the justice system.
Okutepa called on the Nigerian Bar Association to take the lead in defending the rule of law and democracy, urging its leadership to rise above politics and act decisively in safeguarding the integrity of the legal system.
He also questioned the effectiveness of the association’s legislative advocacy role, particularly in relation to the Electoral Act 2026, which he said contains troubling provisions that could undermine access to justice.
Specifically, he criticised sections of the law that impose heavy financial penalties on lawyers and litigants involved in cases deemed to relate to internal party affairs, warning that such measures could intimidate legal practitioners and discourage legitimate litigation.
He argued that the lack of clarity in defining “internal party affairs” creates legal uncertainty and places undue risk on lawyers, potentially forcing them to avoid politically sensitive cases altogether.
Okutepa further expressed concern over restrictions on election petitions, noting that limiting grounds for legal challenge while attaching punitive sanctions could infringe on constitutional rights and the principle of fair hearing.
Describing the situation as a dangerous trajectory, he urged the NBA to push for immediate amendments to the Electoral Act to ensure it aligns with constitutional guarantees and supports, rather than stifles, democratic processes.
He concluded with a call for urgent introspection within the legal profession, warning that unless it “rediscovers itself” and reasserts its role as a fearless arbiter of justice, it risks losing both its relevance and its voice in shaping Nigeria’s future.
