Ex-CJN Ariwooala Cautions 5,734 New Lawyers On Ethics Of Legal Profession
Former Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has charged newly inducted lawyers to uphold the highest standards of integrity, warning that legal practice is a privilege that can be lost through misconduct.
Addressing the new wigs at the call to bar ceremony held at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja, on Wednesday, Ariwoola described the legal profession as sacred, and demands discipline, honour, and selfless service.
“As a lawyer, you are an officer of the court and accordingly, you are not to conduct yourself in a manner that will obstruct or adversely affect the course of justice,” he said.
“Strict adherence to the Rules of Professional Conduct is non-negotiable,” he added.
He reminded the lawyers that their call to the Bar was not just a personal victory, but a call to serve.
“With the prestige of being a lawyer come many responsibilities,” he added, listing duties such as assisting the court in attaining justice, avoiding conflicts of interest, and upholding the rule of law.
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Justice Ariwoola also warned of disciplinary measures awaiting erring lawyers, revealing that one lawyer was disbarred and seven suspended so far in 2025.
He further encouraged them to seek mentorship, embrace the use of technology in legal practice, and commit to lifelong learning.
“The law never stands still… you have to run fast to keep up with it,” he said
Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Chiroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said a total of 5,734 candidates were presented for the Call to Bar, which is the highest in the school’s history.
He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to high standards and noted its growing role in manpower development across Africa.
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Chiroma praised the law school’s transformation across its seven campuses and thanked various state governments for their recent infrastructure interventions.
He urged the new wigs to uphold the ethics of the profession, saying, “It is your free will to belong to this noble profession. You must now live by its honour.”
The event was attended by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Others are the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Afam Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, members of the BOB, other dignitaries in the legal profession, family and well wishers of the new lawyers.