Barely 48 hours after the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, descended heavily on the judges and lawyers for being yhe most corrupt of persons in Nigeria, a group of Christian has issued a series of declarations and appeals calling for the restoration of integrity, independence, and public confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary, describing the institution as the “conscience of the nation” and a critical pillar of constitutional democracy.
The group emphasized that the judiciary exists not only to resolve disputes but to uphold the rule of law, restrain abuses of power, and protect fundamental rights. They noted that, as the last refuge for the weak and oppressed, the courts must embody fairness without fear, authority without arbitrariness, and justice that affirms that no individual is above the law.
However, the group, which met on Sunday at the Hospital Chapel in the Central Business District (CBD)of Abuja, and led in the session by a lawyer, Ms. Doose Door-or, expressed deep concern over what it described as the erosion of judicial independence, widespread corruption, intimidation, and systemic injustice. According to the group, courageous voices within the system have been silenced over the years, with some allegedly paying the ultimate price for resisting entrenched interests. These developments, they said, have weakened public trust and undermined the judiciary’s role as a defender of the common good.
The group called for a comprehensive moral and institutional renewal of the judiciary and the legal profession, from the Bar to the Bench. They urged judges, lawyers, and legal practitioners to return to principles of equity, truth, and impartiality, and to reject practices that pervert justice for personal gain. They stressed that the courts must cease to be perceived as havens for corruption and instead function as strongholds of righteousness and accountability.
Central to the declaration was a call for the emergence and protection of principled individuals within the justice system – described as “true witnesses” – who would uphold justice without fear of intimidation or inducement. The group appealed for safeguards to ensure that such voices are not silenced but are strengthened and multiplied, in order to counter the corrosive effects of corruption.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was also addressed, with the group urging it to recommit to professional excellence, integrity, and the defense of justice, rather than serving as a platform for personal ambition or political maneuvering. They called on NBA leadership to act with wisdom and ethical clarity in preserving the honour of the legal profession.
In addition, the statement focused on institutions responsible for legal education and training, including the Council of Legal Education, the Body of Benchers, and the National Universities Commission. These bodies were urged to enforce high standards, instill discipline, and resist pressures to lower professional benchmarks, ensuring that only qualified and principled individuals are admitted into the legal profession.
Christian lawyers were specifically challenged to view their profession as a calling rather than merely a means of livelihood, and to demonstrate integrity, sound judgment, and godly counsel in courtrooms, lecture halls, and positions of influence.
The group also highlighted the need for jurisprudential renewal, calling for courageous judicial decisions that would correct harmful precedents and restore fairness in the interpretation and application of the law. Judges were urged to exercise wisdom and discernment in delivering judgments that reflect equity and justice.
On institutional reform, the declaration advocated for the modernization of the judiciary, including the abandonment of outdated and counterproductive practices such as analog recording and inefficient procedural systems. The group expressed hope that innovation and efficiency would reposition Nigeria’s judiciary to meet global standards of excellence and enhance the nation’s international reputation.
Reaffirming the core principles of the rule of law, judicial independence, and impartiality, the group concluded with a call for a judiciary that is blind to status, wealth, power, ethnicity, or influence, and committed solely to justice and truth. The group expressed confidence that such reforms would restore public trust, promote national stability, and ensure that the courts once again serve as a place of refuge and redress for all Nigerians.
