NBA: Rule of law can’t be achieved with current level of corruption

The Nigerian Bar Association Anti-Corruption Committee (NBAA-CC) on Monday warned that the rule of law cannot take root in Nigeria unless the country confronts its “disturbingly high” levels of corruption.

The committee stated this in a message to mark the 2025 Global Anti-Corruption Day, reaffirming the NBA’s commitment to supporting legal and institutional reforms across all levels of government.

While expressing alignment with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who recently restated the judiciary’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law, the NBAA-CC said corruption threatens that goal.

“The rule of law is the most potent weapon against corruption. However, the rule of law cannot be achieved with the current level of corruption in Nigeria,” Chairman of the committee, Dr. Babafemi A. Badejo, said.

Badejo added that the NBA’s national and branch structures are ready to collaborate with the judiciary, the executive, the legislature and civil society to ensure that the CJN’s intentions translate into “tangible outcomes.”

He stressed that Nigeria must prioritise the full domestication and implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), saying it “remains a major commitment that deserves urgent national priority.”

As part of efforts to deepen anti-corruption work at grassroots level, the committee highlighted steps taken by state branches across the country.

According to the statement, the NBA has established Anti-Corruption Committees in all its branches to enhance legal advocacy, support whistleblowers, and strengthen accountability mechanisms.

“At the branch level, concrete actions are already underway,” Badejo said.

He cited the Idemili Branch in Anambra State, which has introduced awards for High Court and Magistrate Court registrars who demonstrate excellence and efficiency—an initiative aimed at encouraging best practices and discouraging corrupt behaviour.

Similarly, the Kaduna and Barnawa Branch Committees are collaborating with national anti-corruption agencies including the EFCC, NSCDC and NDLEA, while also using Hausa and English radio and television programmes to raise public awareness.

The Ikorodu Branch Anti-Corruption Committee was also commended for its ongoing advocacy efforts.

Sending what it described as an “uncompromising message,” the NBAA-CC said corruption must never be normalised in Nigeria.

“Corruption is not normal. It cannot be normal. It must never become our trend. It is a cankerworm that destroys development, undermines justice and leads to insecurity, among many other ills,” the committee said.

The NBAA-CC urged legal practitioners, public officers, civil society groups and citizens to “reject the apathy” that has allowed corruption to fester.

“The time for collective action, fortified by the law and driven by integrity, is now,” Badejo said.

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