Bayelsa Deputy Governor Decries Decline in Legal Profession, Urges Reform
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the legal profession in Nigeria, citing the unprofessional conduct of some members of both the bar and the bench as major contributors to its loss of respect and integrity.
Speaking on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), Niger Delta University (NDU) Chapter, at his office in Government House, Yenagoa, Ewhrudjakpo lamented that recent court rulings had diminished public trust in the Nigerian judiciary, which had once been seen as the last hope for the common man.
The deputy governor criticized the rising practice of “forum shopping,” where lawyers choose courts likely to deliver favorable judgments for their clients, often through questionable means. He argued that this trend has contributed significantly to the decline of the legal profession, with both lawyers and judges now undermining the system’s credibility.
“The legal profession is rapidly losing its value due to the actions and attitudes of both the bar and the bench,” Ewhrudjakpo said. “Today, many lawyers resort to forum shopping to get favorable outcomes in courts where judgments are easily manipulated. It’s unfortunate that the judiciary has become so corrupt; it is no longer the hope it once was for the average Nigerian.”
Ewhrudjakpo encouraged law students to resist the temptation to follow the unethical practices of some of their predecessors. He urged them to uphold the profession’s integrity by adhering to ethical standards and exploring innovative legal fields that could have a positive impact on society.
The deputy governor also responded to concerns raised by the students regarding the non-functional generator at the Law Faculty in Yenagoa. He promised that the government would address the issue and suggested installing a solar farm as a sustainable solution to the faculty’s power challenges. Additionally, he assured the students of the government’s support for their upcoming LAWSAN Week activities.
“While the legal profession is facing challenges, I urge you to distinguish yourselves by adhering to professional ethics and making a meaningful contribution to the field,” Ewhrudjakpo advised. “Don’t limit yourselves to traditional legal practices. Explore new areas of law where you can truly make a difference.”
Earlier, Reverend Father Anthony Suowari, President of the NDU Chapter of LAWSAN, had noted that the visit was an opportunity to formally introduce the new executive members to the deputy governor. He thanked Ewhrudjakpo for his ongoing support of the NDU Faculty of Law and appealed for government backing of the LAWSAN Students Week scheduled for January.
