…units reform agenda for 2026
The Nigerian Bar Affiliation Anti-Corruption Committee (NBAA-CC) has reaffirmed its dedication to the struggle towards corruption whereas expressing deep concern over unresolved, high-profile corruption instances involving authorized practitioners, warning that continued silence by authorities threatens public belief within the justice system.
In a New Yr goodwill message to mark the start of 2026, the Committee, chaired by Prof. Babafemi Badejo, mentioned though progress was recorded in 2025, Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts stay fragile and require stronger enforcement, transparency and management accountability.
Taking inventory of the previous yr, the Committee described the approval by the NBA Nationwide Govt Committee (NEC) for the institution of Anti-Corruption Committees at department ranges as a landmark achievement. In response to the Committee, the decentralisation of anti-corruption buildings is a strategic transfer to strengthen grassroots advocacy, promote moral vigilance and localise the struggle towards corruption inside the authorized career.
The NBAA-CC additionally highlighted the widespread commemoration of World Anti-Corruption Day throughout NBA branches as proof of rising skilled resolve to boost public consciousness and uphold moral requirements.
Nevertheless, the Committee warned that latest developments, significantly extended and extremely publicised corruption instances involving legal professionals, pose a severe take a look at to Nigeria’s dedication to accountability and the rule of legislation. It cited the 2025 Tali Shani v. Chief Mike Agbedor Ozekhome case, which, though determined exterior Nigeria’s jurisdiction, raised troubling allegations together with forgery and identification manipulation with implications for Nigeria’s nationwide identification administration system.
Whereas acknowledging the Legal professional-Common of the Federation’s preliminary announcement of a probe into the matter, the Committee mentioned the shortage of follow-up, interim updates or a transparent timeline for decision undermines transparency and accountability, opposite to Nigeria’s obligations beneath the United Nations Conference towards Corruption (UNCAC).
The Committee disclosed that it had formally supplied technical cooperation to assist a reputable investigative course of however lamented that the provide had not been taken up, describing it as a missed alternative to revive public confidence.
The NBAA-CC additionally aligned itself with latest remarks by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on the centrality of the rule of legislation in combating corruption, however harassed that the rule of legislation can’t thrive amid pervasive corruption.
Highlighting grassroots efforts, the Committee counseled initiatives by a number of NBA branches, together with the Idemili Department in Anambra State, which recognised excellent courtroom registrars to encourage effectivity and integrity. It additionally praised the Kaduna and Barnawa branches for collaborating with companies such because the EFCC, NSCDC and NDLEA, in addition to participating in public sensitisation by way of radio and tv programmes in Hausa and English. The Ikorodu Department was additionally famous for sustained advocacy.
Looking forward to 2026, the Committee outlined key priorities, together with intensified advocacy for clear and time-bound investigations into corruption allegations involving legal professionals, expanded preventive ethics coaching, strategic litigation and coverage engagement, empowerment of department committees, and larger scrutiny of aspirants for NBA management positions based mostly on integrity and dedication to anti-corruption beliefs.
Describing the struggle towards corruption as a marathon slightly than a dash, the Committee referred to as on legal professionals to transcend passive compliance and actively steward justice of their practices, courts and communities.
The NBA Anti-Corruption Committee pledged to stay a catalyst for reform, expressing hope that 2026 will probably be outlined by brave motion, strengthened integrity and tangible progress in the direction of a extra simply society.
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