The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has reminded Nigerian lawyers of their responsibility to defend the rule of law, protect citizens’ fundamental rights and ensure that justice remains accessible to every Nigerian, regardless of social or economic status.
Fagbemi delivered the message during the commissioning of the Kofo Salam-Alada Bar and Library Centre of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikare-Akoko Branch, in Ondo State, on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The Attorney-General emphasised that no individual or institution should be regarded as being above the law, stressing the importance of fairness and equality in the administration of justice.
His remarks placed renewed attention on the professional obligations of lawyers at a time when questions surrounding access to justice, institutional accountability and public confidence in the legal system remain prominent in national discourse.
According to Fagbemi, the duties of legal practitioners go beyond technical knowledge of statutes, court procedures and legal principles.
He stressed that lawyers also have a responsibility to defend individual rights, encourage peaceful coexistence and ensure that the justice system serves people irrespective of their financial circumstances, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation or social standing.
The Attorney-General described the newly commissioned Bar and Library Centre as an important contribution to the development of the legal profession.
He noted that the facility would provide opportunities for intellectual engagement, professional mentorship, collaboration and continuing legal education among practitioners.
For the Ikare-Akoko Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, the commissioning represents an investment in the professional development of its members and the institutional growth of the Bar.
The establishment of such facilities is particularly significant for lawyers practising outside Nigeria’s major commercial centres, where access to legal research resources and professional development opportunities can be limited.
Fagbemi’s message also serves as a reminder that the legal profession carries responsibilities extending beyond the courtroom.
As Nigeria continues to confront concerns about justice delivery and public accountability, the Attorney-General’s call reinforces the principle that the credibility of the justice system depends on the willingness of legal practitioners and institutions to uphold the law without favour or discrimination.
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