FASHOLA URGES LAWYERS TO TAKE LEADING ROLE IN TACKLING INSECURITY
Read Time:2 Minute, 59 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
Former Lagos State Governor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Babatunde Raji Fashola, has called on members of the legal profession to play a more active role in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, stressing that the responsibility for combating insecurity should not be left solely to politicians and security agencies.
Fashola made the call on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch Law Week in Lagos. His lecture, titled “Law, Leadership and the Ballot: Governance Beyond Politics,” focused on the role of legal practitioners in strengthening governance and improving public safety.
Addressing lawyers, judges and policymakers, the former governor said attorneys-general, as chief law officers of the federation and the states, must be more visible in discussions on security and the administration of justice, particularly at a time of increasing criminal activities across the country.
According to him, tackling crime requires a coordinated approach involving the executive, legislature and judiciary, with legal professionals playing a critical role in shaping and enforcing effective legal responses.
Fashola questioned the current framework of accountability in security matters, arguing that responsibility is often placed entirely on presidents and governors while legal institutions remain largely in the background.
He maintained that effective crime control must extend beyond public statements and political promises to include prevention, detection, prosecution and conviction, noting that weak enforcement of existing laws continues to undermine public safety.
The former governor also linked insecurity to broader governance challenges, warning that sustainable economic and social development would remain difficult without a strong rule of law framework.
He called for stricter enforcement of vehicle registration laws, arguing that anonymity on public roads creates opportunities for criminal activities and hampers law enforcement efforts.
According to Fashola, vehicle registration plates should be viewed as tools for accountability and effective policing rather than mere administrative requirements.
He further stated that governance outcomes in Nigeria depend largely on the effective implementation of laws, adding that stronger institutions and clearer legal processes would improve public confidence and security.
Fashola challenged members of the Nigerian Bar Association to move beyond discussions and actively pursue legal and institutional reforms capable of strengthening governance and public trust.
The former Minister of Works and Housing also reiterated that lawyers are uniquely positioned to contribute to national development through their role in interpreting, enforcing and advising on legal matters.
Speaking on the Law Week theme, “Altering the Status Quo: Going Against the Norm,” Fashola urged legal practitioners to simplify legal language, particularly the frequent use of the term “status quo,” which he said often confuses members of the public.
He suggested the use of clearer alternatives such as “current situation” to improve understanding and reduce conflicting interpretations of court rulings.
Earlier, Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Branch, Adeniyi Quadri, described the Law Week theme as a call for bold thinking and institutional reforms in response to Nigeria’s governance and security challenges.
He said the legal profession must continually assess whether existing structures are delivering justice and meeting public expectations amid growing economic and security concerns.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Law Week Planning Committee, Chukwudi Enebeli, said the programme was designed to stimulate critical conversations on governance, accountability and national development.
He noted that the Law Week would feature sessions involving key policymakers, including Jumoke Oduwole, as well as a memorial lecture to be delivered by human rights lawyer Femi Falana.
The 2026 NBA Ikeja Law Week continues with discussions centred on governance reform, economic transformation and the role of the legal profession in advancing national development.
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