Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, has emphasised the need for legal practitioners in Nigeria to uphold their professional ethics and safeguard the integrity of the justice system.
Speaking at the official unveiling of Ungogo Bar Voice, a legal-focused publication in Kano, Aliyu described the magazine as more than just a scholarly journal, calling it a vital platform for professional reflection, ethical engagement, and legal reform.
In his keynote address, the ICPC boss cautioned that the public perception of the legal profession is constantly shaped by the conduct or misconduct of its practitioners.
“Ethics, which is the bedrock of legal practice, is under threat from rising allegations of professional misconduct and complicity in undermining the very system we swore to defend,” Aliyu said.
He reiterated that lawyers are not just advocates but gatekeepers of justice, and warned against lawyers becoming tools of impunity under the guise of legal representation.
Aliyu encouraged a deeper scrutiny of court rulings in Kano State and beyond, stating that legal academics must be more proactive in shaping jurisprudence and fostering reform.
Addressing the role of technology in law, Aliyu noted the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence, e-filing systems, and virtual hearings, urging lawyers to embrace innovation responsibly.
“Innovation without regulation can erode public confidence in justice. Legal tech must serve justice, not reduce it to a mere transaction,” he warned.
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He also called for a transformation in legal education, advocating for stronger inclusion of ethics, public interest law, and digital literacy in the training of future lawyers.
Aliyu used the opportunity to reaffirm support for the Supreme Court’s recent decision on local government autonomy, urging lawyers not to undermine the apex court’s decisions through diversionary or frivolous suits.
“We must preserve the integrity of the judicial system. Do not lend your legal skills to the erosion of judicial precedent,” he said.
He called on the Ungogo Bar Voice publication to become a beacon of responsible legal commentary, professional development, and ethical consciousness within the Nigerian bar.
Prominent legal scholar Mike Ozekhome (SAN), also spoke at the event, cautioning against personal attacks on judges.
He noted that while judicial decisions are open to critique, such criticism must remain within ethical bounds.
“Focus your criticism on judgments, not the judges. Our energy must be used to advance, not undermine justice,” he said.