Demonstrators invade Body of Benchers, venting anger at lack of progress in deputy speaker's matter

Nigeria's legal regulatory framework faced intense scrutiny on Wednesday as protesters from the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance formally expressed a lack of confidence in the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.

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This decision was made in response to the committee's perceived inaction on a petition involving Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, which was filed by John Aikpokpo Martins, Esq. on January 20, 2026, as petition BB/LPDC/1948/2026.

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The petition alleges discrepancies regarding Kalu's National Youth Service Corps service year and his period of enrollment at the Nigerian Law School's Enugu Campus, sparking concerns about his professional standing and admission to the Nigerian Bar.

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Members of the coalition protested at the Body of Benchers in Abuja, carrying placards with messages such as "Integrity First; Verify Before You Lead" and "Show Your Certificate, Benjamin Kalu", emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.

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CSGGG convener, Chief Dominic Ogakwu, argued in a letter to the LPDC Chairman that the committee's silence implies certain individuals may be considered above scrutiny, undermining the integrity of the legal profession.

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Ogakwu stated that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee has statutory duties to safeguard the integrity and credibility of the legal profession, which are not discretionary exercises to be undertaken only when convenient.

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The group expressed concern that the lack of transparency in handling the matter involving a high-ranking public official is eroding public trust in the nation's disciplinary institutions, warning that continued inaction would force the public to pursue alternative lawful measures.

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These measures include sustained civic engagement and intensified public advocacy, judicial proceedings to compel the committee to discharge its legal obligations, and a formal review of the committee's continued relevance if it is perceived to have outlived its usefulness.

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The CSGGG emphasized that the legal profession, as a pillar of constitutional democracy, must be governed by institutions that command absolute respect, urging the LPDC to act decisively on the pending petition to prevent a total collapse of confidence in the disciplinary system.