The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference (AGC) in Enugu recently became a powerful platform for some of Africa’s most outspoken voices, who delivered unflinching assessments of the continent’s economic woes, systemic injustices, and the imperative for unity. From the fiery pan-Africanism of Julius Malema to the sobering critique of Nigeria’s justice system by the Sultan of Sokoto and the call for professional integrity by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, the messages resonated with a shared demand for accountability and transformation.
Malema’s Call for Economic Liberation and Pan-African Unity
Kicking off with a fiery keynote address, South Africa’s Julius Malema delivered a rousing call for African unity and economic liberation. He painted a vision of a continent harnessing its immense mineral wealth – diamonds, gold, oil – and its skilled human capital to power the global economy. Malema stressed that it was time for Africans to unite and take control of their resources, a sentiment that resonated deeply with the audience.
Malema didn’t shy away from confronting painful truths, unequivocally labelling xenophobia as a “betrayal of African unity” and a “sickness borne of poverty, inequality and government failure.” He powerfully argued that the victims of xenophobia – Nigerians, Zimbabweans, Congolese, and Somalis – are not the cause of South Africa’s unemployment crisis. Instead, he pointed to the nation’s “untransformed economy,” which he asserted remains firmly in the hands of the white minority and multinational corporations that exploit labour without industrialising.
He meticulously reminded the audience of Nigeria’s pivotal role in supporting South Africa during the dark days of apartheid, recalling the South African Relief Fund, the “Mandela Tax” sacrificed by Nigerian students, and the Nigerian government’s boycotts of the 1976 Olympics and 1979 Commonwealth Games. His message to lawyers was clear: their profession is inextricably linked to the ongoing liberation struggles across Africa, serving as indispensable instruments of justice.
Sultan of Sokoto Decries Transactional Justice
Shifting focus from continental unity to national systemic failures, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, delivered an equally stark assessment of Nigeria’s justice system. His central concern: the “increasing transactional nature of justice in Nigeria,” where, as he lamented, it has become an increasingly “purchasable commodity.”
The Sultan painted a grim picture where “the poor are becoming victims of miscarriage of justice, while the rich commit crimes and walk the streets scot-free.” He issued a direct and powerful challenge to the NBA, urging them to rise to the occasion, defend the rule of law, and ensure that everyone, including “those in power,” is held accountable under the law. “If we are able to do this,” the Sultan noted, “we would have addressed the core of the crisis of governance in this country.”
Ezekwesili’s Plea for Professional Integrity
Reinforcing the calls for integrity within the legal system, former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, urged lawyers to prioritize their profession’s honour above financial gains. She lamented the current state of the Nigerian economy and the severe hardship faced by millions, especially the poor.
Against this backdrop, Ezekwesili issued a potent warning: the legal profession must not be “handed over to a bunch of lousy politicians,” cautioning that such a betrayal of its principles could destroy future generations. Her message underscored the critical role lawyers play as guardians of society, whose decisions today will shape the Nigeria of tomorrow.
A Confluence of Critical Calls
The convergences of these powerful voices in Enugu paint a vivid, if sobering, picture of the challenges confronting Nigeria and the wider African continent. From Malema’s pan-African vision of economic emancipation and an end to xenophobia, to the Sultan’s urgent plea for equitable justice, and Ezekwesili’s insistence on professional integrity, the messages resonate with a shared demand for better governance and a more just society.
The NBA, as the custodian of justice, stands at a critical juncture. The clarion calls from Enugu are not just for lawyers, but for every African to reflect, unite, and act to build the continent they envision – one where justice is not for sale, unity prevails, and prosperity is shared, not exploited.
