A retired Justice of the Federal High Court, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, has accused the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) of failing to address petitions against senior and influential lawyers.
Justice Taiwo alleged that the LPDC is not functioning effectively in handling misconduct cases involving powerful legal practitioners, calling for greater accountability within the legal profession.
Speaking on the issue, the retired judge criticized the NBA’s perceived inaction in disciplining senior lawyers, suggesting favoritism undermines the profession. “We have seen cases involving very senior lawyers, and petitions are written, but the thing will not see the light of the day. The NBA must rise to this occasion,” he said.
Justice Taiwo expressed concern about what he described as a “culture of silence,” saying, “The NBA is not doing enough, especially when it comes to very senior lawyers. It’s a matter of rub my back, I rub your back. Why can’t you offend someone if they are damaging the profession?”
In addition, he linked the problem of conflicting court judgements to poor communication among judges. Justice Taiwo suggested that circulating judgements widely among the judiciary could help mitigate inconsistencies.
The retired judge’s comments highlight ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s legal system, sparking debate about the accountability of senior lawyers and the role of professional bodies like the NBA.
