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 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 of ensuring that law serves the purpose of societal growth.
He, however, expressed dissatisfaction that access to justice remains low, inspite of the fact that the nation is blessed with thousands of lawyers.
“Leadership is about influencing people. You have the duty to interpret the law in a manner that it would advance the 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 the track.
“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 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 experiences both internal and external threats, and urged lawyers to rededicate themselves to service of the nation.
Besides, he said there is the need for the legal profession to reclaim its place as cornerstone of a just and civilised society.