Ogun CJ urges lawyers, judges to uphold integrity, ethical standards

The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has urged lawyers and judicial officers to uphold integrity and ethical standards in the administration of justice, warning that public confidence in the legal profession would continue to decline if ethical values were compromised.

Dipeolu stated that integrity remains the most valuable currency in the justice system, noting that no amount of legislation can restore public trust once integrity disappears from the legal profession.

The Chief Judge spoke on Thursday at the Annual Bar Lecture of the Nigerian Bar Association, Sagamu Branch, held at the Banquet Hall of NANDAS Hotel, Sagamu, Ogun State.

The event was attended by the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; Justice Catherine Ogunsanya, a High Court judge in the state, who delivered the keynote address; Mr Olatunde Adejuyigbe (SAN); as well as other judges, lawyers and judicial officers from across the state.

Represented by Justice A.O. Jibodu, Dipeolu delivered a lecture titled “Justice with Integrity: Upholding Ethical Standards in the Practice of Law.”

She said, “When citizens speak about the legal profession today, they rarely complain about a lack of laws. Nigeria has no shortage of laws. What concerns many citizens is whether the institutions entrusted with administering those laws remain faithful to the values that give the law legitimacy.

“Justice without integrity becomes power. Law without integrity becomes manipulation. Procedure without integrity becomes oppression.”

The Chief Judge observed that integrity remains the foundation of legal practice and should not be treated as a mere ornamental aspect of the profession.

According to her, lawyers occupy a unique position in society because they deal directly with justice, adding that society depends on the belief that disputes can be resolved fairly and peacefully through the legal system.

She warned that once citizens lose confidence in the justice system, they may resort to alternative means of seeking justice, a development she described as dangerous for any society.

“A lawyer may be brilliant. A lawyer may be eloquent. A lawyer may know every reported authority from 1960 till date. Yet, without integrity, such brilliance becomes dangerous,” she said.

Dipeolu identified growing financial pressures, intense competition for clients, social media influence and the erosion of traditional mentoring structures as some of the ethical challenges confronting legal practitioners today.

She particularly urged young lawyers not to equate success with wealth, visibility or social media popularity.

“A lawyer’s greatest asset is not a luxurious office. It is not a fleet of vehicles. It is not even professional brilliance. A lawyer’s greatest asset is reputation. And reputation is built slowly but can be destroyed suddenly,” she stated.

The Chief Judge cited the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), Chief FRA Williams (SAN) and retired Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa as examples of legal icons whose professional accomplishments were rooted in integrity and character.

Speaking on the role of the judiciary, Dipeolu said judges bear a heavier responsibility because the administration of justice ultimately depends on the character and integrity of those entrusted with interpreting and applying the law.

She said, “Courthouses may be magnificent. Constitutions may be beautifully written. Statutes may be carefully drafted. Procedural rules may be meticulously designed. Yet, if those responsible for administering the law lack integrity, justice itself becomes endangered.”

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The Chief Judge further stressed that judicial integrity extends beyond avoiding corruption, explaining that it also encompasses diligence, punctuality, courtesy, preparedness, impartiality and the ability to resist external pressures.

She maintained that public confidence in the judiciary is sustained largely by the conduct of judges and lawyers.

“The public may not fully understand legal procedure. They may not appreciate the technical rules of evidence. They may not know the difference between jurisdiction and competence. But they understand honesty. They understand fairness. They understand integrity,” she said.

Dipeolu also called on senior lawyers to deliberately mentor younger practitioners in ethical conduct, noting that professional values do not automatically transfer from one generation to another.

“We cannot assume that ethical values will transfer automatically from one generation to another. They must be taught. They must be demonstrated. They must be reinforced,” she said.

Addressing younger members of the profession directly, the Chief Judge urged them to protect their reputations and focus on long-term professional growth rather than quick financial gains.

“The legal profession is a marathon, not a sprint. Some of the most respected lawyers in our history built their reputations over decades, not months. Your name is your greatest professional investment. Protect it carefully,” she advised.

While commending the NBA Sagamu Branch for sustaining the annual lecture series, Dipeolu expressed optimism that discussions at the event would strengthen the relationship between the Bench and the Bar and deepen commitment to professional ethics.

She also lauded the branch chairman, Mr G.M. Sofola, and his executive committee for promoting intellectual engagement and professional reflection within the legal profession.

Delivering her keynote address, Justice Ogunsanya urged members of both the Bar and the Bench to prioritise integrity, which she described as the bedrock of a sound judicial system and a just society.

She stated that the present generation of lawyers and judicial officers must maintain the highest ethical standards so they can leave behind an enduring legacy of integrity, exemplary leadership and professional conduct for future generations.

Speaking on the theme, “Integrity in Advocacy: Ethical Lawyering in the Age of Technology and Social Change,” Adejuyigbe cautioned lawyers against relying on artificial intelligence-generated information without conducting thorough checks to verify its authenticity.

He warned that the use of AI in filing legal processes has limitations and is susceptible to errors.

“One common error of generative AI is hallucination. It occurs when an advocate who relies on AI for relevant judicial authorities and statutes in support of a case ends up with convincing but fabricated cases and statutes,” Adejuyigbe said.

He added that lawyers in different jurisdictions have been sanctioned for presenting fictitious cases generated by AI, stressing that legal practitioners must exercise caution in its use.

Sofola said the annual Bar Lecture was designed to interrogate contemporary issues, broaden the horizons of lawyers and strengthen their capacity to contribute more effectively to the practice of law and the administration of justice in the country.