Corruption weakens institutions, destroys public confidence, discourages investment

 

By Babafemi A. Badejo

At the NBA Port Harcourt Branch Anti-Corruption Seminar, under the Theme: “Strengthening Integrity in the Legal Profession: The Role of Lawyers in Combating Corruption in Nigeria”, held in Port Harcourt, on May 19, 2026.

My Lords Spiritual and Temporal, Learned Silks, the Chairman of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch, Mrs. Cordelia U. Eke; the Chairman of the Branch’s Anti-Corruption Committee, Mr. Geoffrey O. A. Joseph; Learned Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I extend warm greetings from the NBA National Anti-Corruption Committee.

Corruption has become a pandemic in Nigeria. It is at the three arms and three levels of government as well as the three sectors in society: public, private and social. Our theme for today’s seminar asks us to examine our role as Lawyers in combating corruption.

Please permit me to be frank: it is a grave problem that we are becoming more and more accommodating and receptive to corruption. In the large part, this abnormality has grown into a normality. Of course, we must recognise the role of Afam Osigwe, SAN’s presidency in setting up the NBA Anti-corruption Committee, and the decision of the NBA National Executive Council to replicate that decision in all the NBA Branches. But for this, and efforts like at this seminar, Lawyers appear not to want to do anything about the problem of corruption in our profession and in our country at large. Little wonder that the NBA membership hardly consider accountability issues and corruption with respect to leadership succession in the association.

Corruption weakens institutions, destroys public confidence, discourages investment, and deepens inequities and inequalities. Ultimately, all of us suffer when public resources meant for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security are diverted into private pockets. Little wonder that it has been impossible to curb all sorts of crimes including abduction and kidnappings for ransom.

As I have argued over time, there is an inverse relationship between corruption and the rule of law. The more of one, the less the other. As a result, the NBA motto is certainly diminished by the high level of corruption in Nigeria. For us in the legal profession, the acceptance of corruption as normal is professional suicide, with devastating consequences for our national existence and progress.

We cannot effectively fight corruption in the nation if we harbour it overtly or covertly within our ranks. Our integrity is our only currency. If we, as lawyers, continue to oil the wheels for corrupt clients without question, then we are not part of the solution. We are enablers.

The fight against corruption is not merely about prosecutions; it is, as I have argued, a need for a total change of orientation. That change starts with us. It starts with the courage to refuse a brief that is fundamentally flawed with corruption and against the public interest. It starts with demanding that our own internal processes uphold the highest standard. It is that we clamour for an impactful Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee that bites effectively and timely. We have resources to prevent complaints to the LPDC going over a year before being heard. In practical terms, the legal profession must continue to promote ethical advocacy, transparency in legal transactions, accountability in public administration, and respect for due process. We must support the strengthening of the anti-corruption institutions while also protecting the integrity and independence of the judiciary.

Let this seminar therefore be more than a talk shop. Let it become part of a wider movement within the legal profession to restore honour, accountability, and public trust. The road to a corruption-free Nigeria begins not only in our courts, but also in the daily ethical choices made in our chambers, our consultations, and our professional conduct.

If lawyers stand firmly for integrity, many others in society will find the courage to do the same. But if we fail, the consequences for our national development will be grave. Let us therefore walk this road with courage, patriotism, and uncompromising integrity.

Nigerian Lawyers are hereby urged to reject seeing corruption, an abnormality, as the normality.

Thank you, and I wish you all a very fruitful and impactful deliberation.

*Prof. Babafemi A. Badejo, National Chairman, NBA Anti-Corruption Committee delivered this goodwill message at the NBA Port Harcourt Branch Anti-Corruption Seminar, under the Theme: “Strengthening Integrity in the Legal Profession: The Role of Lawyers in Combating Corruption in Nigeria”, held in Port Harcourt, on May 19, 2026.