The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, on Monday, September 29, 2025, delivered a powerful address at the Special Session of the Supreme Court to mark the commencement of the 2025/2026 Legal Year and the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on distinguished members of the Bar.

In his speech, the NBA President underscored the need for urgent reforms within Nigeria’s judiciary, emphasizing that “justice delayed is justice denied”. He expressed concern over systemic delays in the resolution of constitutional matters, including cases bordering on the declaration of states of emergency, which often lose their relevance by the time judgments are delivered.

Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, also highlighted the pressing need for the full digitization of court processes, calling for electronic filing, digital recording of proceedings, and improved case management systems to enhance efficiency, transparency, and public confidence in the justice system.

Addressing the issue of judicial appointments, the NBA President decried the growing exclusion of private legal practitioners from consideration for the bench, noting that transparency and merit must guide the selection process. He proposed written tests and stricter evaluation methods to ensure that only individuals of proven integrity and competence ascend to the Bench.

On the abuse of bail processes, he cautioned against the increasing use of remand orders as tools of oppression, particularly in politically sensitive cases. He called on Chief Judges to activate provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) by licensing professional bondspersons, thereby preventing unnecessary detention of citizens.

To the new Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the NBA President congratulated the new silks, reminding them that the rank is “not an ornament, but a call to higher duty, integrity, and leadership.” He urged them to serve as mentors and role models, upholding the highest ethical standards of the profession.

The President also reiterated the NBA’s call for a review of the Guidelines for Conferment of the SAN rank to broaden inclusivity and ensure fairness, while cautioning against provisions that negate the constitutional presumption of innocence.

He concluded by reaffirming the Bar’s commitment to partnering with the judiciary to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system:

“Our collective duty, Bench and Bar alike, is to ensure that justice is not a distant ideal but a daily reality for all Nigerians. May this new legal year mark a turning point in our collective resolve to restore public confidence in the judiciary and to build a justice system worthy of our democracy.”

The ceremony also witnessed the swearing-in of newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria, an occasion that reflects the triumph of dedication, excellence, and service to the legal profession.