The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has reaffirmed the indispensability of mutual respect between the Bar and the Bench, describing it as a cornerstone for the effective delivery of justice in Nigeria.
Delivering a keynote address at the 2025 Law Week of the NBA Katsina Branch, themed “Collaboration Between the Bar, Bench, and Traditional Institutions: A Gateway to Peace, Security, and Development,” Osigwe noted that while professional disagreements are inevitable, the relationship between lawyers and judges must remain rooted in civility and decorum.
Condemning the rising practice of lawyers launching unscholarly, public criticisms of court decisions, the NBA President warned that such behavior weakens public trust in the judicial system.
“We cannot desecrate the temple of justice and expect the public to treat it with reverence,” he cautioned.
Osigwe also emphasized the strategic importance of traditional institutions in advancing access to justice, especially at the grassroots. He acknowledged their cultural legitimacy and their role as first responders to community disputes.
On the issue of judicial independence, Osigwe issued a direct appeal to the Katsina State Government to guarantee financial autonomy for the judiciary. “A judiciary that depends on another arm of government for its financial survival cannot truly be free,” he asserted.
He further charged judicial officers to uphold their integrity by avoiding any conduct that could bring their office into disrepute. Reiterating the need for a united legal front, Osigwe encouraged both the Bar and the Bench to recommit to values of professionalism, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to justice.
The NBA President expressed confidence that stronger collaboration among legal professionals, the judiciary, and traditional institutions would help restore public confidence and address systemic issues within the justice sector.
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