The National Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Anti-Corruption Committee, Prof. Babafemi A. Badejo, has declared that corruption has become a pandemic in Nigeria, stressing that lawyers bear a crucial responsibility in addressing this crisis.
Lawyers Urged to Lead Anti-Corruption Fight
Prof. Badejo made this statement while delivering his goodwill message at the NBA Port Harcourt Branch Anti-Corruption Seminar. The event was held under the theme “Strengthening Integrity in the Legal Profession: The Role of Lawyers in Combating Corruption in Nigeria” in Port Harcourt yesterday.
He emphasized that corruption has deeply infiltrated all three arms of government—executive, legislative, and judiciary—as well as the three levels of government: federal, state, and local. Additionally, he noted that the public, private, and social sectors have all been affected.
Prof. Badejo accused lawyers of becoming increasingly accommodating and receptive to corrupt practices. He stated: “In the large part, this abnormality has grown into normality. Of course, we must recognise the role of Afam Osigwe’s presidency in setting up the NBA Anti-corruption Committee, and the decision of the NBA National Executive Council to replicate that decision in all the NBA branches. But for this, and efforts like this seminar, lawyers appear not to want to do anything about the problem of corruption in our profession and in our country at large. Little wonder that the NBA membership hardly considers accountability issues and corruption with respect to leadership succession in the association.”
Impact of Corruption on Society
The NBA Anti-Corruption Committee chairman highlighted that corruption weakens institutions, destroys public confidence, discourages investment, and deepens inequities and inequalities. He added: “Ultimately, all of us suffer when public resources meant for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security are diverted into private pockets. Little wonder that it has been impossible to curb all sorts of crimes, including abduction and kidnappings for ransom.”
Prof. Badejo reminded lawyers of their strategic position in the struggle to rescue the Nigerian state from this destructive cycle. He concluded: “We are not merely advocates for clients; we are guardians of the rule of law. Our duty to justice and society must never be subordinate to financial gains and/or political pressures.”
