The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has charged Nigerian lawyers to uphold the highest standards of ethics and take a leading role in the fight against corruption.
Dr. Aliyu delivered the charge on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, during his goodwill message at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Annual Law Conference, held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. The theme of this year’s conference is “Reimagining the Practice of Law: Ethics, Innovation and the Future of Legal Services.”
In a speech that sparked strong reactions among attendees, the ICPC Chairman decried what he described as a growing ethical crisis within the legal profession. He pointed to increasing instances of professional misconduct, deliberate delay tactics in legal proceedings, and the misuse of judicial processes as major threats to the nation’s anti-corruption agenda.
“Lawyers are not just advocates; they are the gatekeepers of justice,” Dr. Aliyu said. “Sadly, some have chosen to become facilitators in obstructing justice. The ICPC sees this and calls for a collective recommitment to integrity.”
He expressed concern that some legal practitioners continue to file lawsuits challenging the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the ICPC’s investigative powers—actions he labeled as detrimental to justice and the image of the profession.
Acknowledging the rapidly evolving legal landscape, Dr. Aliyu also touched on the role of innovation and digital tools in legal practice. While welcoming the advancement of legal technology, he warned against ethical lapses in its unregulated use.
“As innovation transforms legal services, we must ensure that technology is applied with fairness, confidentiality, and justice,” he said.
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In a rallying call for legal reform, Dr. Aliyu urged lawyers to defend whistleblowers, describing them as “civic heroes” of the anti-corruption movement. He advocated for stronger legal protections and proactive legal support for individuals who expose corrupt practices.
The ICPC Chairman also called for reforms in legal education, emphasizing the need to integrate ethics, digital literacy, and public interest law into the curriculum. He disclosed that the Commission is collaborating with stakeholders to introduce anti-corruption modules in the Nigerian Law School and university law faculties.
Dr. Aliyu concluded his remarks by encouraging lawyers to see themselves not just as legal professionals but as nation-builders committed to justice and equity.
“As we reimagine the future of law, let us also reimagine the lawyer—not just as a professional, but as a patriot,” he said. “Together, we can restore dignity to the practice of law and reaffirm its place in the fight against corruption and injustice.”
The NBA Lagos Law Conference 2025 brought together leading legal minds, policymakers, scholars, and young professionals to reflect on the future of law in Nigeria amid the challenges of technology, governance, and ethics.
