It is an honour to stand before this distinguished gathering of lawyers, and my colleagues at the Bar. A law dinner is many things at once. It is a time to celebrate our work. It is a time to reflect on the past year. It is also a time to speak honestly about the state of our profession and about the direction our country is moving. I am grateful for the invitation and for the fellowship that this moment brings.
3. Whenever lawyers gather, something special happens. We remember why we chose this vocation. We remember the long evenings in the library. We remember the thrill of our first court appearance. We remember the first case we lost and the humility it taught us. We also remember the first client who gave us the confidence to believe that we could stand tall in any courtroom in this country. The law has shaped our lives in ways that only lawyers can understand.
4. Tonight, I want to speak not only to our minds but also to our shared experiences. We are a profession defined by argument, persuasion and the courage to confront power. We challenge authorities, we defend citizens, we uphold rights, and we keep the promise of the Constitution alive. All these duties demand more than degrees and certificates. They demand character, discipline, clarity of thought and a strong sense of responsibility.
5. Let me begin with a small anecdote that many of you may recognise. A young lawyer once walked into court with great confidence. He had polished his shoes, arranged his authorities, and rehearsed his submissions all night. When his matter was called, he rose, announced his appearance and moved his application. He was so hopeful. The magistrate listened quietly, nodded, and then asked one short question that collapsed the entire argument. The young lawyer stepped out of court that day with the realisation that the law is both a daily teacher and a patient tutor. Many of us lived that story in our early years. It reminds us that no matter how long we practise, the law has a way of humbling us and building us at the same time.
6. The Bar in Nigeria is undergoing a period of serious test. Every day, lawyers must navigate a society that is changing fast. Technology is transforming how disputes are resolved. Citizens are more aware of their rights. Social media spreads opinions with the speed of sound. Courts are under intense pressure. Judges are overwhelmed. The public is watching our every move. In this environment, the work of the lawyer becomes even more important. We cannot afford silence when the justice system struggles. We cannot look away when the weak are denied their rights. We cannot close our eyes when the rule of law is threatened by impunity or indifference.
7. As Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, I see the challenges facing our justice sector every day. Some of them come from insufficient funding. Some come from slow processes. Some come from constitutional tensions. Others come from the growing mistrust between citizens and institutions. When justice is slow, people lose hope. When justice is selective, people lose faith. When justice becomes a privilege for the rich, then we have failed in the very purpose of law.
8. The National Assembly has a responsibility to address these concerns. That responsibility is not limited to making laws alone. It includes vigilance. It includes oversight. It includes speaking on behalf of those who fear that their voices are too small to be heard by the State. The Legislature must ensure that justice is accessible, affordable and fair. A legal system that works for only a few is not worthy of the name.
9. I want to raise a few issues that should stimulate our reflection tonight. The first is the growing burden on the courts. Every court in this country, from the magistracy to the appellate courts, is drowning under heavy caseloads. Judges sit through exhausting hours. Lawyers wait endlessly for dates. Litigants grow old in the corridors of justice. The weight of delay carries a cost that is deeper than inconvenience. Delay destroys confidence. Delay fuels corruption. Delay undermines the purpose of adjudication and weakens the authority of the State. If the law is the instrument through which the Republic keeps its promise to the people, then a system that moves slowly betrays that promise.
10. A Republic survives on trust, and trust depends on the speed and fairness of its justice system. This is why we need a national conversation about innovative approaches to dispute resolution, the creation of more courts, the appointment of more judges, better remuneration for judicial officers, improved working conditions, reliable infrastructure and a modern technology framework that supports electronic processes from filing to judgment. When we strengthen the capacity of the courts, we strengthen the credibility of the Republic. We must refuse to accept the present condition as normal, because a better justice system is central to the law and to the promise the Republic must keep.
11. The second issue is the welfare of lawyers. Many young lawyers are leaving the profession. Many feel unprotected. Many feel unseen. They face poor remuneration and very harsh working conditions. When a profession loses its young ones, it loses its future. The Bar must continue to address these matters with honesty and courage. A profession that defends the dignity of others must not fail to defend the dignity of its own members.
13. The third issue is the role of lawyers in national development. Some people think the lawyer belongs only in court. That view is narrow. Lawyers shape governance. Lawyers shape public policy. Lawyers enrich public debate. Many of the freedoms we enjoy in this country are the result of legal struggles that were fought by courageous men and women at the Bar. Some of them paid a high price for their convictions. Today, every lawyer who speaks against injustice continues that legacy. The Bar is strongest when its voice is firm and clear. Silence may be comfortable for a moment, but it always leaves society weaker.
14. Another issue that deserves our reflection is the relationship between justice and leadership. A strong legal system holds leaders accountable. A weak legal system shields them. When leaders know they can be questioned, investigated or prosecuted, the society becomes better. When leaders think they are untouchable, the society suffers. We must continue to insist that the law must not discriminate between the powerful and the powerless. The Constitution gives no room for selective application.
15. I often tell younger colleagues that the greatest tool of the lawyer is not the wig and gown. The greatest tool is the conscience. The conscience guides us to speak truth at difficult moments. The conscience reminds us that our work affects real lives. The conscience keeps us from bending when pressure is applied. A lawyer without a strong conscience is a danger to the profession.
16. Let me share another short story. During my early years, I once watched a senior lawyer argue a motion in court. His opponent relied on a precedent that appeared favourable. During his reply, the senior lawyer calmly pointed out that the case was no longer good law. The court agreed. But after the matter, he walked up to the other counsel, who was much younger, and showed him where to find updated authorities. That small act of kindness encouraged the young lawyer, who never forgot it. It taught all of us present that competence is important, but character lasts longer. The Bar must preserve this spirit of mentorship.
17. This dinner tonight is not only about fine dressing and fine food. It is about strengthening the fellowship within the profession. Lawyers argue fiercely in court, but they share a deeper bond. We have a duty to protect one another. We also have a duty to defend the integrity of the Bar. The public watches our conduct. When a lawyer acts without honour, the whole profession feels the stain. When a lawyer stands for justice, the whole profession shares the glory.
18. We must also reflect on the constitutional moments facing our country. Many issues are before the courts. Many questions confront the Legislature. Many anxieties trouble the public. This is a period in which clarity of thought is essential. Lawyers must continue to guide public discourse with precision and honesty. The country depends on the Bar for leadership in moments of confusion. When society drifts, the law becomes an anchor. That anchor must remain firm.
19. In the House of Representatives, we are committed to reforms that will strengthen the justice system. Some of these include electoral reforms, judicial reforms and reforms that will promote accountability. My role as Minority Leader is to ensure that these reforms reflect fairness, respect for human rights and commitment to transparency. I cannot do this alone. The Legislature needs the support of the Bar. The Bar is the conscience of the nation and must help keep our democracy steady.
20. As I look around this hall, I see men and women who carry immense responsibility. Every brief you accept, every advice you give, every motion you file, every argument you advance, shapes the quality of justice in our country. You hold the lives of people in your hands. The trust that citizens give to us must never be taken lightly.
21. Let me end by returning to where I began. Tonight is a celebration. The Nyanya Karu Branch continues to grow in strength and reputation. You have shown commitment to service, to learning and to professional excellence. You have contributed to the legal community of the Federal Capital Territory. You have supported young lawyers. You have defended the rule of law. You have earned your respect through consistent work.
22. As we dine together, let this moment remind us of our shared purpose. Let it remind us of the promise we made when we were called to the Bar. Let it remind us that justice is not an abstract word. Justice is the widow seeking protection. Justice is the child seeking education. Justice is the worker seeking fair treatment. Justice is the community seeking safety. Justice is the citizen seeking dignity. Every time we do our work with honesty and courage, we bring justice closer to the ordinary person.
23. My hope is that this branch will continue to shine as a beacon of ethical practice and professional excellence. My hope is that the Bar will stand strong in the defence of the Constitution. My hope is that together we will keep the promise of justice alive in our country.
24. Thank you for listening. Enjoy your evening. God bless you. God bless the Nigerian Bar Association. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
(DINNER SPEECH BY REP O. K. CHINDA, MINORITY LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AT THE LAW DINNER OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, NYANYA KARU BRANCH, FCT ON FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER, 2025)
