Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna state, says the independence and integrity of the judiciary must never be compromised.
According to him, “the judiciary remains indispensable guardian of constitutional order, protectors of civil liberties, defender of due process, and custodians of societal equilibrium.”
The governor spoke on Monday at the inauguration of the Kaduna Bar Centre, named after former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Bello.
The event was part of activities marking the Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association Kaduna branch.
Sani said during periods of uncertainty and national strain, “it is often to the judiciary that citizens turn for reassurance that justice, fairness, and reason shall ultimately prevail.”
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The governor said “no society can attain sustainable development where the rule of law is weak, where institutions are fragile, or where justice is inaccessible to the ordinary citizen.”
He described the Law Week theme, “ACTIVATE! Empowering Lawyers in the Digital Age,” as timely and significant, noting that the world is undergoing transformation driven by technology, artificial intelligence, digital communication, and evolving systems of knowledge production.
“These changes are redefining economies, governance structures, commercial transactions, evidentiary standards, privacy rights, and even the nature of legal practice itself,” he said.
Sani added that the legal profession must not only react to technological transformation but also shape it.
“Lawyers of this generation must cultivate technological literacy alongside legal scholarship. They must embrace innovation while preserving the ethical foundations of the profession.
“They must remain intellectually agile, globally aware, and uncompromising in their fidelity to justice and professional responsibility.
“In an era increasingly defined by speed, information overload, and digital disruption, the virtues of integrity, discipline, rigorous reasoning, civility, and ethical restraint have become even more essential,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Lateef Fagbemi, attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, described the commissioning of the Justice Mohammed Bello Bar Centre as symbolic of the enduring strength, resilience, and progressive vision of the legal profession in Nigeria.
Fagbemi commended the governor for supporting the advancement of justice, institutional development, and the rule of law in Kaduna State, especially the completion of the Bar Centre project.
The minister also paid tribute to Bello, describing him as “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 also as “the intellectual heartbeat of the legal community” and a hub for continuing legal education, policy discourse, innovation, professional collaboration, and access to justice initiatives.
Fagbemi 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, Afam Osigwe, president of the NBA, commended the Kaduna branch for completing the centre and acknowledged the contributions of past NBA leaderships and the Kaduna State Government to the project.
Osigwe urged NBA branches across the country to invest in infrastructure that would provide meeting spaces for lawyers and generate revenue.
“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.
The NBA president said cooperation between the Bar and government should not be seen as compromising the independence of the legal profession.
“The fact that we may sometimes agree with governments wherever we may find ourselves does not mean there’s a limit between them.
“We may disagree or offer constructive criticisms. We are committed to building a better society where the rule of law is upheld,” he said.
