Lawyers Must Uphold Ethics, Fight Corruption - ICPC Chairman
By Chizoba Njaka
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, has urged Nigerian lawyers to recommit to upholding ethical standards and assume a pivotal role in the fight against corruption.
This charge was made during his goodwill message at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Annual Law Conference 2025, themed “Reimagining the Practice of Law: Ethics, Innovation and the Future of Legal Services.”
Dr. Aliyu expressed concern over the escalating ethical crisis within the legal profession, citing instances of professional misconduct, dilatory tactics in court proceedings, and the misuse of legal procedures to impede anti-corruption efforts.
He specifically highlighted the persistent filing of suits challenging the Supreme Court's decision on the ICPC's investigative powers, describing such actions as detrimental to the profession's image.
"Lawyers are not merely advocates; they are guardians of justice,” Dr. Aliyu emphasized. “Regrettably, some have opted to facilitate obstruction of justice. The ICPC acknowledges this trend and advocates for a collective recommitment to integrity.”
Regarding the growing influence of legal technology, Dr. Aliyu acknowledged its transformative potential but cautioned against the risks of ethical breaches in its unregulated application. He stressed the need for legal innovation to be guided by principles of fairness, confidentiality, and justice.
The ICPC Chairman further urged lawyers to support whistleblowers, whom he described as “civic heroes” in the anti-corruption struggle. He advocated for enhanced legal protection for whistleblowers and underscored the role of lawyers in defending their rights.
Dr. Aliyu also called for reforms in legal education, emphasizing the importance of integrating ethics, digital literacy, and public interest law into the curriculum. He disclosed that the ICPC is engaging with stakeholders to introduce anti-corruption modules in the Nigerian Law School and university law faculties.
He however, challenged lawyers to transcend their client briefs and embrace their role as nation-builders. “As we reimagine the future of law, let us also reimagine the lawyer not just as a professional, but as a patriot". “Collectively, we can restore dignity to the practice of law and reaffirm its position in the fight against corruption and injustice", he added.