Sani, Fagbemi, and Osigwe Call for an Independent and Stronger Judiciary at Kaduna NBA Week

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, emphasized that the judiciary’s independence and integrity must never be compromised.

He said, “the judiciary remains an indispensable guardian of constitutional order, protector of civil liberties, defender of due process, and custodian of societal equilibrium.”

Sani made the remarks yesterday during the inauguration of the Kaduna Bar Centre, which is named after former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Bello.

The ceremony was part of the Law Week celebrations of the Kaduna Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The governor noted that in times of uncertainty and national strain, “it is often to the judiciary that citizens turn for reassurance that justice, fairness, and reason shall ultimately prevail.”

He added, “As a government, we fully recognise the pivotal role of the judiciary and the legal profession in sustaining democratic stability, advancing peaceful coexistence, protecting rights, resolving disputes, and deepening public confidence in governance.”

“Our administration therefore remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen judicial infrastructure, enhance institutional capacity, improve access to justice, and promote professional excellence within the legal ecosystem,” he said.

Also speaking, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, described the commissioning of the Justice Mohammed Bello Bar Centre as symbolic of the enduring strength, resilience, and progressive vision of Nigeria’s legal profession.

Fagbemi praised the governor for his commitment to advancing justice, institutional development, and the rule of law in Kaduna State, especially for supporting the completion of the Bar Centre project.

The minister paid tribute to the late Chief Justice, calling him “an icon of judicial integrity, intellectual distinction, and statesman whose contributions to Nigerian jurisprudence remain indelible.”

He said the Bar Centre should serve not only as an administrative facility but as “the intellectual heartbeat of the legal community,” a hub for continuing legal education, policy discourse, innovation, professional collaboration, and access‑to‑justice initiatives.

Fagbemi further stressed the need for collaboration among the Bar, the Bench, and the executive in the national interest while respecting the constitutional independence of each institution.

“Such collaboration does not diminish the role or authority of any arm of government or institution. Rather, it strengthens governance, deepens democracy, and enhances justice delivery,” he added.

In his remarks, President of the NBA, Afam Osigwe, SAN, praised the Kaduna Branch for successfully completing the centre’s construction, noting the contributions of past NBA leadership and the Kaduna State Government.

Osigwe urged NBA branches nationwide to invest in infrastructure that provides meeting spaces for lawyers and generates revenue for their branches.

“I want to use this opportunity to remind the various branches of the NBA that it is very important not only for the branches to increase their income but to utilise it in putting in place structures like this,” he said.