As part of the 2025 Annual Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ungogo Branch, renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, has issued a stirring call for the legal profession to rise in defence of the rule of law amidst growing threats to Nigeria’s democratic values. In his goodwill message to the branch, Akangbe decried the increasing disobedience of court orders, the misuse of prosecutorial powers, and the alarming culture of impunity among public officials.
Describing the rule of law as the “bedrock of any functional democracy,” he emphasized the urgent need for lawyers across the country to recommit themselves to justice, accountability, and constitutionalism. He lauded the NBA Ungogo Branch for upholding the tradition of intellectual engagement and expressed hope that this year’s Law Week theme, “The Rule of Law in a Democratic Society,” would inspire deeper reflection and action toward protecting Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
Read full statement below;
I extend warm felicitations to the Nigerian Bar Association, Ungogo Branch, on the occasion of its Annual Law Week themed “The Rule of Law in a Democratic Society.”
Today, we are witnesses to a dangerous erosion of democratic values: blatant disobedience of court orders, abuse of prosecutorial powers, and growing impunity among public officials. The rule of law remains the bedrock of any functional democracy, and it is our collective duty, as lawyers, to defend it with courage and clarity.
May this Law Week inspire honest introspection, bold discourse, and a renewed commitment to justice, accountability, and constitutionalism.
I commend the leadership and members of the NBA Ungogo Branch for sustaining this tradition of intellectual engagement in the service of our nation
Warm regards,
LATEEF OMOYEMI AKANGBE SAN, FCIArb(UK)
Former Chairman, NBA Lagos Branch
