The Nigerian Bar Association has announced plans to establish anti-corruption committees across all its 130 branches.
Chairman of the NBA National Anti-Corruption Committee, Professor Babafemi Badejo, revealed this development in a statement released in Lagos on Monday, May 19, 2025. According to him, the move follows a resolution passed at the recent NBA National Executive Committee meeting held in Ilorin.
“Each NBA branch is now mandated to set up an anti-corruption committee that will address corruption-related matters within their jurisdiction,” Badejo said.
“These committees are expected to work closely with law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and civil society organizations to drive local-level accountability.”
He emphasized that the national anti-corruption committee will coordinate these efforts to ensure consistency and impact across all branches.
“The national body will serve as a unifying force, guiding and supporting the activities of each branch committee to foster a culture of integrity within the legal system,” he added.
Badejo also noted that the NBA, under the leadership of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Afam Osigwe, had earlier inaugurated the national anti-corruption committee as part of broader reforms to restore public trust in the legal profession.
“With both national coordination and local implementation, the NBA is sending a strong message that corruption must not be accepted as a norm,” Badejo stated. “This is not only a professional obligation but a national duty. We are taking a bold step to reinforce the NBA’s role as a guardian of the rule of law and ethical conduct.”
The committees at the branch level will have the flexibility to design and implement initiatives tailored to their unique contexts, further strengthening the NBA’s commitment to accountability.
“This initiative reflects our resolve to confront corruption head-on and to lead by example,” Badejo said. “The NBA is firmly committed to upholding the rule of law, and this nationwide structure will significantly boost our collective efforts.”
