Discipline is backbone of legal profession, says NBA president
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has emphasised that discipline remains the foundation of professional integrity in the legal field, urging lawyers to uphold ethical standards
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has emphasised that discipline remains the foundation of professional integrity in the legal field, urging lawyers to uphold ethical standards to sustain public trust.
Osigwe made this statement during a two-day residential training programme for members of the NBA Prosecution Team held at the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).
The programme, with the theme “Understanding the LPDC Framework and Prosecutorial Mandate,” focused on strengthening accountability mechanisms within the legal profession.
According to the NBA president, the strength of any profession lies not in its privileges but in its standards, especially when those standards are tested.
He described the role of LPDC prosecutors as a serious responsibility rather than a ceremonial assignment, noting that it requires courage, commitment, and a dedication to fairness.
Osigwe commended members of the prosecution team for volunteering to serve, stating that their willingness reflects a shared duty to protect the honour and credibility of the legal profession.
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He stressed that the LPDC remains one of the Bar’s most critical institutions because its work helps preserve public confidence in lawyers and demonstrates the profession’s capacity for self-regulation.
He explained that discipline should not be viewed as punitive but as a means of safeguarding the dignity and future of the profession. He also disclosed that petitions are already before the association and must be handled diligently, fairly, and without delay.
“A strong Bar is one that enforces its standards transparently and without fear or favour,” he said, adding that where discipline is firm and principled, public trust is strengthened, but where it is weak, confidence erodes.
Osigwe assured members of the prosecution team of his full support, urging them to approach their mandate with renewed clarity and determination.
He noted that the legal profession must not only demand justice for society but also exemplify it internally, insisting that integrity must always come first.
