Osigwe, Akangbe call for justice reforms

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), and NBA presidential candidate Lateef Akangbe (SAN), have called upon lawyers to spearhead reforms aimed at bolstering Nigeria's justice system and restoring public trust in its legal institutions. Their appeals were made during the 2026 Law Week of the NBA Gombe Branch, which focused on "Strengthening Justice Through Reforms: Lawyers as Agents of Change."

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the strength of any justice system is measured not merely by the laws it enacts but by the confidence citizens have in its ability to deliver justice fairly, efficiently and without prejudice.

Osigwe stated that the efficacy of any justice system is measured by citizens' confidence in its ability to deliver justice fairly, efficiently, and without prejudice, not just by its laws. He commended the NBA Gombe Branch for initiating a crucial dialogue on the legal profession's responsibilities and the urgent need to rebuild public trust. Osigwe noted that despite the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in 2015, many challenges the law intended to address persist.

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While the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 marked a significant milestone in the reform of our criminal justice system, many of the challenges it sought to address remain

Specifically, Osigwe highlighted the ongoing issues of overcrowded correctional centers and excessively stringent bail conditions. He also expressed concern that key provisions of the ACJA, such as those relating to bondsmen, have not been fully utilized to enhance access to justice and curb impunity. He urged legal professionals and other stakeholders to move beyond identifying problems and commit to implementing reforms that yield tangible benefits for citizens.

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Our correctional centres continue to be overcrowded, bail conditions are often excessively stringent, and critical provisions of the law, including those relating to bondsmen, are not being fully utilized to promote access to justice and reduce impunity

"The effectiveness of any reform lies not in its enactment, but in its implementation," Osigwe asserted, stressing the importance of rebuilding public confidence through professionalism, integrity, and accountability. He positioned lawyers as pivotal agents of change in the administration of justice, emphasizing their role in upholding the highest standards within the legal system.

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The effectiveness of any reform lies not in its enactment, but in its implementation