Ikeja: Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, on Monday, called on Nigerian lawyers to interpret laws in a manner that will positively enhance the ideals of society.
Olukoyede, represented by Mr Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), made this known at the 2025 Law Week of the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), held in Lagos.
The Law Week has the theme: “Preserving the Legal Profession for Tomorrow.”
He spoke on the topic, “Nation Building: Our Role As Lawyers.”
The EFCC boss said that lawyers had a responsibility to ensure that the law serves the purpose of societal growth.
He, however, expressed dissatisfaction that access to justice remains low, despite the fact that the nation is blessed with thousands of lawyers.
“Leadership is about influencing people. You must interpret the law in a manner that would advance society,” he said.
He noted that in the past, lawyers used the law to lead and develop society, but expressed concerns that the profession now appears to have deviated from its original path.
“We seem not to have a direction again; our attention should be drawn to who we are, but are we there? Are we influencing anything today?” he said
Olukoyede urged the NBA to revive the pupillage programme, which he described as vital in guiding young lawyers.
“The rules tell us how we should conduct ourselves, but are we doing that again? What have we done to direct the path that young lawyers should be taking? Are we still doing that?” he queried
Also speaking, Chairman of the Law Week Committee, Mr Chukwudi Enebili (SAN), noted that the legal profession had historically served as the conscience of the nation and voice of the voiceless.
He, however, decried a decline in ethical standards and mentorship within the legal community.
“We are witnessing a diminishing sense of mentorship; we see a generation of lawyers increasingly disconnected from the tradition of service, scholarship, and social responsibility that once defined our calling,” he said.
Enebili noted that the legal profession in Nigeria faces both internal and external threats and urged lawyers to recommit themselves to serving the nation.
Besides, he said, there is a need for the legal profession to reclaim its place as the cornerstone of a just and civilised society.