CJN Kekere-Ekun Critiques Legal Practice Commercialization

Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun addressed the commercialization of legal practice during the 2026 annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association's Section on Legal Practice in Lagos. She cautioned against the growing trend of prioritizing financial gain over justice, emphasizing that such practices could erode public confidence in the legal system and diminish the noble standing of the legal profession.

Kekere-Ekun highlighted the risk of legal practitioners focusing primarily on monetary gain without sufficient regard for enforcing client rights and developing sound legal principles. She urged lawyers to uphold their duty to assist the court in achieving fair outcomes and to discourage frivolous litigation.

Additionally, she acknowledged the rapid evolution of legal practice due to advancements in artificial intelligence and digital innovation, which present new opportunities but should not compromise ethical standards. Kekere-Ekun called for stronger collaboration between the bench and bar to build a resilient legal system and commended the NBA's initiative to launch a law firm directory to enhance transparency and access within the profession.