He made the call during the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual Conference on Sunday at the International Conference Centre, Enugu. The theme was ‘Stand Out And Stand Tall’.
The Sultan urged lawyers to ensure that the law fulfils its objectives by promoting justice, protecting rights, resolving disputes, and providing a framework for social progress.
He noted that law fosters economic and social development by creating a predictable environment for transactions and driving social change through responsive legislation.
Accordingto him, without law, societies risk chaos, lacking mechanisms to govern relationships, enforce rules, and guarantee fairness or accountability.
“Today, justice is becoming a purchasable commodity. The poor suffer miscarriages of justice, while the rich commit crimes and freely walk the streets,” he said.
He commended the conference theme, noting that it reflected a commitment to uphold the rule of law and ensure equal accountability for all, including those in power.
The Sultan added that achieving this would address Nigeria’s governance crisis, stressing that law and learning were inseparable.
He also urged continued law reforms to decolonise legislation, align with cultural values, ensure relevance, and promote sustainability while advancing social justice.
