Lawyers, CSO call for judicial reforms to strengthen democracy

Legal experts and leaders of civil society organisations have warned that the country’s democracy could face serious challenges if urgent reforms are not undertaken.

They gave the warning at the 2026 St. Thomas More Public Lecture organised by the Abuja Chapter of the National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL), with the theme, “Electoral Democracy in Nigeria and the 2026 Electoral Act”, held on Wednesday in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, President of the association, Dr. Obinna Ogbuagu, said the legal profession could no longer remain silent in the face of threats to justice and democratic governance.

According to him, lawyers have a responsibility to serve as society’s moral compass by upholding integrity, social justice, and the rule of law. He noted that public confidence in key institutions, particularly the judiciary, had declined in recent years, stressing the need to restore trust in the courts to preserve their role as the “last hope of the common man”.

Also speaking, Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, accused political actors of exploiting the judiciary to undermine electoral democracy, alleging that judicial discretion had, in some instances, been used in ways that weakened the electoral process.

He urged citizens not to lose faith in elections despite existing concerns, arguing that voter apathy only creates opportunities for electoral manipulation.

Delivering the keynote address, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, linked declining public confidence in elections to increasing voter apathy across the country.

She observed that many Nigerians had become cynical about electoral outcomes due to recurring concerns over the credibility and transparency of elections.

According to her, electoral laws alone are insufficient to guarantee democratic governance without integrity among institutions, political actors, and citizens, adding, “Electoral Acts can regulate elections, but only integrity can produce credible votes.”

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Badejo-Okusanya added that Nigeria’s democratic progress would depend not only on stronger electoral laws but also on independent institutions, accountable leadership, and citizens willing to defend democratic values.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Law Week Planning Committee of the National Association of Catholic Lawyers, Mr. P.D. Pius, charged lawyers to remain committed to justice, integrity, and service to humanity.

According to him, lawyers must be “light in places where justice is weighed and decisions are made”, emphasising the importance of defending the voiceless with courage and sincerity.

Pius noted that the legal profession requires more than technical expertise, stressing that it demands ethical conduct, public accountability, and a commitment to the common good.