The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has urged judges to remain steadfast, courageous, and impartial in handling cases that may arise from the next general elections.
Fagbemi said, “With the 2027 general elections approaching, the world will once again look to Nigeria to demonstrate the integrity of its democratic institutions and electoral processes.
“I therefore urge Your Lordships to remain steadfast, courageous, and impartial in the determination of electoral disputes and all other matters that come before the courts, guided solely by the Constitution and the law, without fear, favour, or political pressure.
“Judicial decisions may not always enjoy universal approval, but disagreement must never become an excuse for intimidation or attacks on judicial independence.”
at a special court session marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 new legal year of the Supreme Court and the formal conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 68 lawyers.
Fagbemi called for a review of the judicial appointment process to ensure the best are appointed.
He said: “Appointments to the Bench must be transparent, rigorous, and merit-based, attracting individuals of the highest intellectual calibre, discipline, character, and integrity.
“Appropriate systems of judicial performance evaluation are equally necessary to promote accountability, sustain professional excellence, and uphold objective standards of service.
“Beyond strengthening the criteria for appointment, however, we must also consider broadening the pool of candidates from which judicial officers are drawn.
“I am of the firm belief that consideration should be given to enriching the bench by appointing qualified, highly principled Senior Advocates, academic professors, and brilliant legal practitioners directly to the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court benches.”
He expressed concern about the rising number of senior lawyers engaging in professional misconduct and suggested reviewing the disciplinary process.
The AGF said: “My office is concerned about the increasing number of cases of professional misconduct, especially against senior members of the Bar.
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“We cannot continue to pay lip service to the need to strengthen our disciplinary processes. As a first step, we need to consider modernising the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).
“The disciplinary process for lawyers must be rapid and transparent. When complaints stall for years, the public concludes that the legal profession is designed to protect its own wrongdoers.
“For decades, the Inner Bar has occupied a central place in the development of our legal system. Its members have defended the rule of law during periods of military rule, helped restore and consolidate democratic governance, and shaped our jurisprudence.
“That legacy deserves both recognition and preservation. Yet we must also have the courage to confront concerns about the rank’s contemporary perception.
“There are criticisms that the pursuit of silk has become increasingly commercialised and that, in some instances, the distinction risks being regarded more as a means of economic advantage than as a solemn public trust.
“These concerns call for honest reflection, not to diminish the honour of the rank, but to safeguard its integrity and restore its foundational purpose wherever necessary.
“The silk gown is not a commercial licence; it is a mantle of professional, constitutional, and social responsibility.
“The conduct of its holder must match the distinction it confers: the quality of advocacy before the courts, the mentorship offered to younger lawyers, and the contribution made to society.
“I therefore call on both the newly elevated and more senior members of the Inner Bar to see the rank not merely as a mark of distinction, but as a call to greater service and responsibility,” he said.
Fagbemi commended the Supreme Court on its recently introduced electronic filing system, noting that the next stage was the complete digitisation of the entire court system
He said: “The next step must be to pursue a comprehensive digital transformation of the Judiciary through modern courtrooms, automated case tracking, secure digital archives, and virtual hearing capabilities.
“These measures will digitise the entire lifecycle of appeals, eliminate traditional procedural bottlenecks, and further enhance the efficiency, transparency, and timely delivery of justice.”