Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has described the judiciary as the bedrock of modern society, stressing that its independence, integrity and institutional strength must never be compromised.
Speaking on Monday at the commissioning of the Justice Muhammadu Bello Bar Centre in Kaduna, the governor said the judiciary remains the guardian of constitutional order, civil liberties and due process, especially during periods of national uncertainty.
According to him, citizens often look up to the courts for reassurance that justice, fairness and reason will prevail in difficult times.
“As a government, we fully recognise the pivotal role of the judiciary and the legal profession in sustaining democratic stability, advancing peaceful coexistence, protecting rights, resolving disputes and deepening public confidence in governance,” he said.
The governor added that his administration would continue to support initiatives aimed at strengthening judicial infrastructure, enhancing institutional capacity, improving access to justice and promoting professional excellence within the legal ecosystem.
He noted that no society could achieve sustainable development where the rule of law is weak, institutions are fragile and justice remains inaccessible to ordinary citizens.
Governor Sani also described the theme of the 2026 NBA Law Week, “ACTIVATE! Empowering Lawyers in the Digital Age,” as timely, given the rapid technological transformation reshaping governance, commerce and legal practice globally.
“The legal profession must not merely react to technological transformations but proactively shape them. Lawyers of this generation must cultivate technological literacy alongside legal scholarship,” he said.
He urged legal practitioners to embrace innovation while upholding the ethical foundations of the profession, including integrity, discipline and rigorous reasoning.
Also speaking, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, described the commissioning of the Bar Centre and the opening of the NBA Kaduna Branch Law Week 2026 as symbolic of the resilience and progressive vision of Nigeria’s legal profession.
Fagbemi commended the Kaduna State Government for supporting the completion of the project and paid tribute to the late Justice Mohammed Bello, whom he described as an icon of judicial integrity and intellectual distinction.
He said the Bar Centre should serve as a hub for continuing legal education, policy discourse, innovation and access to justice initiatives.
The minister also stressed the need for collaboration among the Bar, the Bench and the Executive while respecting the constitutional independence of each arm of government.
On his part, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, commended the Kaduna Branch for completing the Bar Centre project.
He urged NBA branches across the country to invest in infrastructure capable of generating revenue and supporting professional development.
Osigwe maintained that cooperation between the Bar and government should not be misconstrued as compromising the independence of the legal profession.
“We may disagree or offer constructive criticisms. We are committed to building a better society where the rule of law is upheld,” he said.
