*Calls For UK-Style Three-Stage Legal Training
Raji Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Lagos State Governor, has urged the Nigerian legal profession to rethink its training, discipline, and engagement with the public, questioning whether the current system adequately serves justice and development, during a lecture reflecting on 50 years of the Body of Benchers.
Speaking at a recent event hosted by the Body of Benchers, Raji Fashola expressed delight at reconnecting with the legal profession after 21 years in public service, describing it as a “great honor” to deliver the mid-lecture address.
Reflecting on the theme—50 years of the Body’s past, present, and future—he shared seven personal stories to provoke thought on the profession’s trajectory. “I don’t know what qualifies me to be here, but I’m thankful for the privilege,” he said, setting a reflective tone.
Fashola recounted his 1988 call to the bar, sponsored by the late Chief Debo Akande, SAN  and late Chief  T A Oki, SAN who demanded an undertaking of good behavior due to his unfamiliarity, and Mr. Weber EG, QC, who emphasized self-imposed discipline.
“Those who find it will not miss the way,” he recalled from Weber’s speech, urging today’s Benchers to scrutinize entrants as rigorously. “Do Benchers still take this pain to ensure quality?” he asked, highlighting the Body’s role in regulating admissions and discipline under the Legal Practitioners Act.
He criticized the current legal training system, questioning the compulsory nature of law school. “If you want to produce movies after your LLB, leave the bar alone,” he quipped, suggesting law school should focus on certification, not training, for advocates, while firms handle practical skills.
Drawing parallels with medicine—where doctors train extensively before practicing—Fashola asked, “How many of us would let a fresh medical graduate operate on us? Yet we unleash 5,000 lawyers annually.” He proposed a three-stage process like the UK’s—academic, vocational, and pupillage—to ensure competence.
Fashola stressed that competence is key to setting enforceable standards, lamenting that “incompetence and misconduct” blur in judicial outcomes. “Why should document-based cases last over 12 months?” he queried, blaming lawyers’ uncertainty and adjournments, and calling for stronger corrective measures.
He also raised concerns about discipline, asking when the Body would set new rules for practitioners trying cases on TV or delaying justice. “When can a judge refer unethical conduct to the disciplinary committee unilaterally?” he pressed, citing a UK example where a lawyer abandoned a weak argument to avoid sanction.
Turning to public engagement, Fashola posed a pivotal question: “If we are serving the public, is it not time to listen to them in an interactive way?” He suggested including non-lawyers in committees, arguing,
“They’re not our members, but they can contribute.” He urged embracing reform-minded critics to boost public confidence, vital to the justice system’s reputation. “A poor bar portends a poor future; a good bar, a better one,” he said, quoting a past speech by S that the bar shapes Nigeria’s greatness through its legal system.
Fashola shared three development stories—Geometric Power in Aba, Zungeru Hydropower, and Shoprite Mall in Lagos—illustrating how legal disputes stalled progress until resolved. “Connect the dots: our work affects lives, livelihoods, and development,” he said, urging the Body to remove unsuitable characters and reform training to distinguish barristers from solicitors.
“This is our golden moment to start a new journey—speedy, credible, reliable justice anchored on competence and integrity,” he concluded, thanking the audience for their attention.
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