Human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has expressed deep concern over what he describes as a steady decline in the moral, ethical, and professional standards of Nigeria’s legal profession.
In a statement issued on Wednesday titled “Midweek Musing: When Nobility Ebbs and the Bar Descends; A Clarion Call to Rescue the Soul of the Legal Profession in Nigeria,” Ejiofor called on key regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association, the Body of Benchers, and other relevant institutions, to urgently intervene and restore the profession’s lost prestige.
Ejiofor, who holds the traditional title of Dunu-Ezeugosinachi, reflected on a past era when the legal profession in Nigeria was regarded as a sacred calling defined by discipline, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to justice. According to him, that era has largely faded, now serving only as a benchmark in the country’s legal history.
He recalled the contributions of legal icons such as Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams, Nigeria’s first indigenous Senior Advocate, and Chief Abdul-Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, whose courage and advocacy elevated the moral standing of the Bar.
He also highlighted the impact of revered jurists like Justices Chukwudifu Oputa, Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, Kayode Eso, and Muhammadu Uwais, noting their enduring legacies of intellectual depth and judicial integrity.
While acknowledging the continued contributions of distinguished senior lawyers such as Chiefs Afe Babalola, Wole Olanipekun, Olisa Agbakoba, and Onyechi Ikpeazu, Ejiofor stressed that the profession is increasingly drifting away from its foundational values.He observed that the process of admitting new lawyers, once rooted in both intellectual and moral rigor, now appears overly academic, with insufficient attention to ethical formation.
This, he noted, has resulted in declining courtroom decorum, poor advocacy standards, and a growing tolerance for unprofessional conduct.Ejiofor further lamented that some courtrooms, once regarded as sanctuaries of reason and order, are gradually turning into arenas of disorder, with incidents of misconduct occurring unchecked.
He warned that the situation becomes more troubling when such deficiencies extend to the judiciary, especially when individuals lacking proper grounding ascend to the Bench.
Citing a recent incident where a legal practitioner was allegedly ordered to kneel in open court, Ejiofor described such actions as indicative of a disturbing erosion of institutional decorum, emphasizing that discipline must always align with respect for professional dignity and established legal standards.
He also decried the rise of sharp practices within the profession, including procedural manipulation, ethical compromise, and deliberate obstruction of justice. Recounting a personal experience, Ejiofor described instances where court processes are strategically withheld to frustrate proceedings, sometimes with apparent judicial backing.
According to him, such practices not only constitute professional misconduct but also undermine the administration of justice and erode public trust in the legal system.
Ejiofor warned that if the trend continues unchecked, it could lead to a broader crisis of confidence in Nigeria’s justice system, stressing that the legitimacy of the law ultimately depends on public trust. He therefore urged regulatory and disciplinary bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association, Body of Benchers, Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, and the Council of Legal Education, to move beyond rhetoric and implement meaningful reforms aimed at restoring discipline, merit, and ethical standards within the profession.
“The time has come to recalibrate entry requirements, enforce discipline without bias, and revive the culture of excellence that once defined the Nigerian Bar,” he stated.
Ejiofor concluded that rescuing the legal profession would require courage; the courage to confront hard truths, enforce standards impartially, and ensure that the profession not only exists but continues to earn its revered place as a pillar of justice in society.
