Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alh. Sa’ad Abubakar
By BARBARA KALU, Enugu –
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’adu Abubakar, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, and South African politician Julius Malema, have passionately called on lawyers to uphold justice and protect vulnerable populations.
They made the call at the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual Conference held on Sunday at the International Conference Centre in Enugu.
The conference, themed: _“Stand Out And Stand Tall,_ ” underscored the legal profession’s pivotal role in fostering fairness and societal progress.
The Sultan decried the growing commodification of justice, stating, “Justice is increasingly a purchasable commodity, with the poor suffering miscarriages while the rich evade accountability.”
He emphasized that the rule of law is essential to prevent societal chaos and ensure fairness, urging lawyers to drive reforms that align legislation with cultural values and promote social justice.
“Law and learning are inseparable; continuous reform is vital to address Nigeria’s governance crisis,” he added.
Governor Mbah, in officially opening the conference, highlighted his administration’s efforts to strengthen Enugu’s justice system.
“We are building a fair, functional, and trusted judiciary,” he said, citing reforms like judicial financial autonomy, court digitization, and the expansion of the Enugu Multi-Door Courthouse as a model for dispute resolution.
These initiatives, he noted, align with the 1999 Constitution to enhance court efficiency and independence.
Julius Malema, delivering the keynote address, described lawyers as indispensable to liberation struggles.
“While activists protest and governments legislate, lawyers enforce justice in courts, defending the voiceless and ensuring fairness,” he said.
He portrayed the legal profession as one of sacrifice and intellect, critical to achieving equality and democratic progress across Africa.
NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe praised Malema’s participation, noting, “His presence underscores the legal profession’s role in Africa’s broader fight for justice and economic independence.”
Osigwe called on lawyers to spearhead economic transformation through anti-corruption efforts, regulatory reforms, and investments in infrastructure and digital literacy.
Enugu NBA Chairman Chief Venatus Odoh echoed this, affirming the association’s commitment to defending the rule of law and democracy.
