The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo SAN, OON, has challenged Nigeria’s legal community to reclaim its rightful place as a transformative force in national development.
Speaking on the theme “The Role of Lawyers in National Development: Toy Guns in the Hands of the Watchmen” at the 2025 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ado-Ekiti Branch, held at the Aare Afe Babalola Conference Hall, High Court Complex, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Ajulo drew a vivid metaphor to describe the widening gap between the constitutional expectations placed on lawyers and the limitations imposed by weak institutions, inadequate legal infrastructure, declining public trust, and internal professional shortcomings.
Dr. Ajulo reminded the audience that lawyers have historically served as society’s conscience and custodians of justice, naming iconic figures whose courage and principled advocacy shaped Nigeria’s democratic evolution. He referenced the legendary Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAM, SAN, an indefatigable rights crusader and one of the most celebrated legal icons in Africa; Mr Femi Falana, CON, SAN, foremost human-rights lawyer and pro-democracy advocate; Pastor Tunde Bakare, former Vice-Presidential candidate, activist-cleric, and founder of The Citadel Global Community Church; and the esteemed Alao Aka-Bashorun, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association and a towering figure in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle. He noted that these fearless advocates, alongside many others, embodied the finest traditions of the Bar, courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice.
He stressed that the profession must not retreat into routine practice or passivity but must re-embrace its mandate as a driver of reforms, a protector of rights, and a leading force in social transformation.
Highlighting ongoing reforms in Ondo State, Dr. Ajulo commended the expansion of the Office of the Public Defender, the appointment of new judicial officers, and the strengthening of access-to-justice mechanisms with a special focus on the indigent. He noted that these efforts show how a State can deliberately build a justice sector that responds to the needs of its people. He also referenced the recent honour bestowed on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as Ambassador of the Rule of Law by the NBA, describing it as a testament to the administration’s culture of respecting court judgments and due process, an ethos he urged other States and Federal institutions to emulate.
The Senior Advocate lamented chronic challenges such as delayed justice, poor public perception of lawyers, inadequate awareness of legal aid, and the absence of sufficient institutional support for both practitioners and litigants. According to him, many accused persons in Nigeria access legal representation only at the point of arraignment, often after coerced confessions, while thousands remain in correctional facilities simply because they cannot afford counsel. Such realities, he warned, continue to erode confidence in the justice system and weaken the rule of law.
Addressing the issue of insecurity, Dr. Ajulo insisted that lawyers must play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance between state power and fundamental human rights. He argued that the legal profession must remain vigilant to ensure that security operations do not violate constitutional liberties, stressing that no nation can attain meaningful development without both security and justice functioning side by side.
One of the most compelling aspects of his lecture focused on the urgent need for structured mentorship within the legal profession. Dr. Ajulo, the inaugural Chairman of the NBA National Mentorship Committee, revealed that a comprehensive national mentorship policy is underway to address longstanding gaps in ethical grounding, professional guidance, and institutional continuity. He emphasised that the Wig must stand for more than ceremonial prestige. He said without proper mentorship, the profession risks producing lawyers who are technically qualified but institutionally powerless.
Raising further concerns, he addressed the growing mental-health crisis in the profession, citing global data on burnout, stress, and emotional fatigue among lawyers. Dr. Ajulo called for the establishment of wellness centres, recreational facilities, and mental-health support systems as essential foundations for building a justice system led by mentally resilient and professionally effective practitioners.
He also emphasised the under-utilisation of the Freedom of Information Act, describing it as one of the most powerful tools available to lawyers for strengthening accountability and transparency in governance. “A lawyer who fails to deploy the FOI Act effectively, weakens democratic oversight and risks turning the Wig into a symbol without influence.” He said.
Paying tribute to Ekiti’s immense contribution to nation-building, he acknowledged the distinguished heritage of eminent Ekiti lawyers whose scholarship, advocacy, and judicial leadership have enriched Nigeria’s legal and judicial landscape. He cited foremost figures such as Aare Afe Babalola, CON, SAN, Founder of Afe Babalola University; Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association; Mr Femi Falana, CON, SAN, renowned human-rights advocate; Chief Dele Adesina, SAN, former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association; Justice Ayodeji Daramola, former Chief Judge of Ekiti State; Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the leader of the Senate and Mr Dayo Apata, SAN, current Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ekiti State, describing them as enduring pillars of ethical practice, judicial excellence, and dedicated service to both the profession and the nation.
He commended the Ekiti State Government, under Governor Biodun Oyebanji, for creating an enabling environment that dignifies the judicial process, including infrastructural investments and sustained commitment to rule-of-law principles.
In conclusion, Dr. Ajulo challenged the legal profession to embrace data-driven reforms, technological innovation, and stronger institutional frameworks. He maintained that the survival and relevance of the legal profession now depend on its capacity to innovate, self-regulate, and reposition itself as a decisive pillar of national development.
“If the profession continues to rely merely on rhetoric, tradition, and symbolism, it risks becoming a silent watchman present but powerless. But with structured mentorship, strengthened wellness systems, credible reforms, and unwavering commitment to justice, the Wig can once again become a powerful instrument for shaping a more just, prosperous, and secure Nigeria.” He said.
