By OBSERVERS TIMES
Former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has raised alarm over the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s legal profession, asserting that it is buckling under the burden of corruption, ethical breaches, and declining standards.
Speaking at the 2025 Law Week Plenary Session of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yenagoa Branch, held at the Nigerian Content Tower in Bayelsa State on Friday, Osinbajo lamented the pervasive perception of corruption within the nation’s justice system, implicating both the bar and the bench.
“The legal profession is crumbling under the weight of corruption, ethical violations, and poor standings. Stories of counsel acting as conduits for bribing judicial officers are rampant. The perception that our justice system is corrupt, with both the bar and bench complicit, is deeply damaging,” he stated.
During his address on the sub-theme “The Legal Profession: A Vision for a New Era,” Osinbajo highlighted the urgent need for reforms and visionary leadership in a legal field increasingly influenced by rapid technological advancements and societal challenges.
“The pace of technological advancement, globalization, and the democratization of information has transformed every profession. Yet, the legal profession remains bound by precedents and traditions, with some detrimental habits resistant to change,” he remarked.
Osinbajo expressed concern about the future of legal practice, noting that many tasks traditionally performed by lawyers can now be executed more efficiently and accurately by technology. “The systems do not tire, do not take leave, and do not demand extra pay. These tools are becoming increasingly affordable and accessible, akin to mobile phones,” he explained.
He warned that technology is rapidly replacing basic legal analysis and opinion writing, indicating that a significant portion of legal work is at risk of being overshadowed by technological innovations. “What we are witnessing is the most profound revolution our profession has ever experienced, fundamentally altering the delivery of legal services and adjudication,” he said.
Osinbajo emphasized the need for a reimagined legal education curriculum that incorporates legal technology and artificial intelligence, urging future lawyers to develop critical assessment skills for tools like ChatGPT. He also called for cross-disciplinary training that encompasses law, data science, design thinking, data privacy, and algorithm bias.
“As AI systems increasingly take over tasks such as legal research and drafting, the true value of human lawyers will lie not in our ability to find or summarize the law, but in our capacity for ethical reasoning and understanding clients’ best interests,” he stated.
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, who opened the plenary session, acknowledged the fears surrounding AI but noted its potential benefits. “While many are concerned about job losses due to AI, we must recognize that society is dynamic and evolving,” he said.
Diri expressed his appreciation for the organizers of the Law Week, commending the Yenagoa Branch for their vocal advocacy. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the independence of the judiciary, stating, “If the judiciary fails, we all fail.”
In his welcome address, Mr. Somina Johnbull, Chairman of the NBA, Yenagoa Branch, thanked Osinbajo, Governor Diri, and all attendees for their participation, emphasizing that the discussions during the Law Week would elevate the standards of legal practice across the nation.
