Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has enjoined the Nigerian judiciary to remain steadfast in the face of blackmail, saying as custodians of the law, the third arm of government must shun the temptation of tinkering with justice to serve parochial interest. Specifically, he reminded the judiciary that it is an essential pillar of Nigeria's sovereign existence because "a nation is only as accountable, fair, and orderly as the people who make, enforce, and interpret its laws".

The Vice President, who gave the charge in Abuja on Wednesday when he officially declared open the maiden Body of Benchers Annual Lecture and public presentation of the report of the directions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, cautioned judges and other legal practitioners against yielding to the temptation of tinkering with the law to serve the selfish interests of those he described as agents of anarchy.

Faulting the notion that justice is the wish of the party with the shrillest voice, an impression he referred to as one of the gravest mistakes being made, VP Shettima acknowledged however that the judiciary has lived up to its duty by discouraging such belief, recalling how the court upheld the mandate entrusted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the face of political blackmail. Senator Shettima observed that while "the foundation of every great nation is built on the ethical sensitivity of the institutions that uphold justice", it is such moral requirements that prepare judges "to refuse to bend to divisive sentiments and to stand firm against the currents of expediency.

The VP reassured the judiciary of President Tinubu's resolve to maintain cordiality among the three arms of government, adding that the President "has demonstrated that the best way for our tripartite system of government to function is when we do not treat one another as enemies, but as allies dedicated to the republican virtues of the nation and the advancement of our democracy." In her remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, commended the Body of Benchers for their foresight and dedication in initiating the annual lecture. Emphasizing ethical practice within the legal profession, the CJN observed that the sanctity of the profession in Nigeria rests solely on the shoulders of the body, even as she expressed hope that the body would rise to the occasion.

In his keynote address titled, “Half-a-Century of the Body of Benchers: The Past, the Present, and the Future of Maintaining the Ethics of the Legal Profession in Nigeria," former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), said the annual lecture of the Body of Benchers is a golden moment to start a new journey for the Nigerian Legal system by demonstrating that there are internal self-correcting mechanisms that ensure that the dispensation of justice is speedy, credible and reliable.



He emphasised the significance of character formation and self-discipline in maintaining dignity in the legal profession in Nigeria, urging the Body of Benchers to rise to the occasion, open itself up for criticisms and rescue the profession from unethical conduct in the interest of the country’s development. In a goodwill message, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, paid glowing tributes to legal luminaries across the county, recounting his personal experience in Ondo State, which he said has strengthened his resolve and confidence in the rule of law in Nigeria and the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

He encouraged stakeholders in the legal profession to see their roles as custodians of justice, which must be evolving to meet the modern era, especially as they carry immense responsibilities of preserving the integrity of the legal profession. On her part, the Solicitor General of the Federation, Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, who represented the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), stressed the important role played by the Body of Benchers in the advancement of the legal profession and in shaping the direction of practice and upholding the rule of law in the country. She said the legal landscape in Nigeria and beyond is continuously evolving and requires all stakeholders to keep pace with the changes by addressing observable challenges, especially in the enforcement of the code of practice and maintaining the highest level of integrity.

Speaking on the significance of the Body of Benchers Annual Lecture, Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), said aside from providing a platform for introspection on changes in society, especially those occasioned by technological innovation and expanding boundaries of human rights and its enforcement, the annual lecture would contribute immensely to finding solutions to contemporary challenges affecting the foundation of the legal profession in Nigeria and beyond.He also urged stakeholders to particularly reflect on the declining quality of lawyers being produced in the country, which according to him, is impacting negatively on the profession and sparking debates as to whether a law degree should be a) second degree in the university programme. The high point of the event was the public presentation of the report of the directions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee by the Vice President.