RismadarVoice Reporters, June 16, 2026
President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has called on legal practitioners to take a leading role in strengthening Nigeria’s justice system through sustained reforms, professionalism, and accountability.
Osigwe made the call while delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the NBA Gombe Branch Law Week, themed “ Strengthening Justice Through Reforms: Lawyers as Agents of Change .”
Addressing members of the legal profession and stakeholders in the justice sector, the NBA President emphasized that the true measure of any justice system lies not only in the laws it enacts but also in the confidence citizens have in its ability to deliver justice fairly, efficiently, and without bias.
He commended the leadership and members of the NBA Gombe Branch for organizing what he described as a timely and important conversation on the future of justice administration in Nigeria.
According to Osigwe, although the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 represented a significant milestone in criminal justice reform, many of the challenges the legislation sought to address still persist.
He noted that correctional centres across the country remain overcrowded, while stringent bail conditions and the underutilization of critical provisions of the ACJA continue to hinder access to justice.
The NBA President specifically pointed to provisions relating to bondsmen, which he said have not been fully explored as tools for reducing unnecessary detention and improving justice delivery.
“The effectiveness of any reform lies not in its enactment, but in its implementation,” Osigwe stated.
He urged lawyers and other stakeholders in the justice system to move beyond merely identifying challenges and instead commit themselves to ensuring that legal reforms translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
Osigwe stressed the need to rebuild public trust in legal and judicial institutions by upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability.
According to him, the credibility of the justice system depends largely on the conduct and commitment of those entrusted with its administration.
The NBA President acknowledged that significant work remains to be done in reforming the justice sector but expressed confidence that meaningful progress can be achieved through collective action and a renewed commitment to justice.
He maintained that lawyers must embrace their responsibility as agents of change capable of strengthening institutions, improving access to justice, and restoring confidence in the legal profession.
