The Nigerian Law Society (NLS), an association of non‑litigation lawyers, has warned that it will initiate court proceedings if the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere‑Ekun, fails to refer the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, SAN, to the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC).
In a letter signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, the NLS also demanded that the CJN, who chairs the LPPC, enact practice directions empowering judges to impose sanctions on lawyers who engage in professional misconduct inside courtrooms.
The Society faulted Osigwe for publicly reprimanding judges who had taken punitive measures against lawyers accused of unprofessional conduct. One such case involved Justice Mohammed Umar of the Abuja Federal High Court, who ordered defence counsel Marshall Abubakar to kneel in open court for raising his voice during proceedings. The NBA condemned the judge’s action, insisting he had no authority to humiliate a lawyer in that manner.
Rejecting the NBA’s stance, the NLS proposed that lawyers found guilty of misconduct in court should undergo anger management therapy. It further stressed that current contempt of court provisions are inadequate to curb rising incidents of misconduct among litigation lawyers.
The Society cited empirical evidence from the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and a report by Femi Falana, SAN, highlighting the growing threat posed by unprofessional conduct to the “temple of justice.” It warned that unless the CJN and the National Judicial Council (NJC) act by April 1, 2026, it will file a lawsuit to compel reforms.
According to the NLS, the referral of the NBA President to the LPPC would serve as a deterrent to other lawyers who may contemplate similar acts of misconduct. The group emphasized that protecting the integrity of the legal profession is essential to safeguarding the sanctity of the judiciary.
… Nigerian Law Society Threatens Legal Action Against CJN Over NBA President’s Conduct … Naijaonpoint.
