The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has urged members of the Bar to uphold discipline, integrity and respect for judicial institutions as the Supreme Court of Nigeria commenced the 2026/2027 legal year.
Fagbemi spoke on Monday at a special session of the Supreme Court held at the Main Court Room, Supreme Court Complex, Three-Arms Zone, Abuja, to mark the beginning of the new legal year and the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, on 68 distinguished legal practitioners.
He said the occasion was a reminder that the strength of democracy rests on the integrity of judicial institutions, the independence of those entrusted with administration of justice and public confidence in the rule of law.
The AGF commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun, for her leadership, courage and commitment to strengthening the administration of justice, noting that under her leadership the Supreme Court continues to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with diligence.
He described the outgone legal year as significant for weighty and far-reaching decisions that strengthened constitutional order, reaffirmed supremacy of the Constitution, clarified limits of executive and legislative authorities and protected integrity of the electoral process.
Fagbemi also commended the apex court for clarifying the proper channel of appeal against directions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC.
He, however, expressed concern over increasing cases of professional misconduct, especially against senior members of the Bar, saying the disciplinary process for lawyers must be rapid and transparent.
“When complaints stall for years, the public concludes that the legal profession is designed to protect its own wrongdoers,” he said.
The AGF commended the CJN on the introduction of the universal electronic filing regime in the Supreme Court through the Supreme Court (Mandatory Upload of Electronic Copies of Processes, Record of Appeal and Other Matters) Practice Directions, 2026.
He said the reform marks a milestone in modernising the Court’s procedures by transitioning from manual, paper-based filing to a fully electronic system, which will reduce risk of physical interference with case files, minimise delays and accelerate preparation of appeals for hearing.
Fagbemi said the next step must be comprehensive digital transformation of the judiciary through modern courtrooms, automated case tracking, secure digital archives and virtual hearing capabilities.
Addressing the 68 new Senior Advocates, Fagbemi said elevation to the Inner Bar is both an honour and a profound responsibility.
He noted that the rank, established in 1975 and modelled after the English Queen’s Counsel, was conceived to recognise exceptional distinction and deploy finest talents in advancing jurisprudence.
He cautioned against commercialisation of the rank, saying “The silk gown is not a commercial licence; it is a mantle of professional, constitutional, and social responsibility.”
He urged new SANs to mentor young lawyers, promote fair remuneration, improve judicial efficiency, reduce court congestion and defend fundamental rights and rule of law.
Citing an incident at the Sunrise International Arbitration proceedings where former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Muhammadu Buhari appeared to give testimony, Fagbemi said their display of mutual respect and humility should be emulated within the Inner Bar.
He appealed to the CJN to encourage consistent standards of punctuality, effective communication and professional courtesy across all courts.
As the 2027 general elections approach, Fagbemi urged Justices to remain steadfast, courageous and impartial in determination of electoral disputes, guided solely by Constitution and law.
He said judicial independence must be matched by institutional accountability, adding that judicial appointments must be transparent, rigorous and merit-based. He advocated broadening the pool to include qualified Senior Advocates, professors and brilliant legal practitioners directly to High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court benches.
Fagbemi said the Federal Ministry of Justice is pursuing reforms including the Legal Practitioners Bill, revision and consolidation of Laws of the Federation last done in 2004, review of the Arbitration and Mediation Act, 2023, and review of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
He also cited the favourable outcome in the Sunrise/Mambila arbitration as a significant legal victory that averted substantial financial exposure.
He congratulated three Attorneys-General from states who were elevated to Inner Bar and urged governors to seek and give due consideration to legal advice of their Attorneys-General, especially as 2027 elections approach.
He also congratulated Chief Ajibola Aribisala, SAN and Mr. Oba Adelodun, SAN whose wards joined them in the Inner Bar.
