…says corruption undermines the rule of law, erodes public trust
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC) has underscored the urgent need to integrate the teaching of anti-corruption in the nation’s universities and law schools.
Chairman of the commission, Musa Adamu (SAN), made this disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja at a workshop jointly organised by the agency and the Nigerian Law School for deans of faculties of law.
According to Adamu, the programme was a veritable platform to brainstorm on the teaching of anti-corruption in the nation’s universities, as well as the law school.
The silk said that because the legal profession occupies a central position in the administration of justice and the sustenance of the rule of law,, the imperative of institutionalising anti-corruption education in Nigerian legal training cannot be overemphasised.
He said: “Lawyers serve as custodians of the law, defenders of justice, and critical actors within the justice system.
“As such, the ethical orientation and integrity of legal practitioners significantly influence governance, institutional credibility, and public confidence in the justice system.
“In recognition of this pivotal role, there is an increasing need to inculcate integrity, accountability, and anti-corruption values at the formative stages of legal education. ”
Adamu maintained that, “Embedding these principles within university legal education and professional training at the Nigerian Law School is essential to producing lawyers who are not only intellectually competent but also ethically grounded and committed to national development.”
While submitting that corruption remains one of the greatest challenges confronting Nigeria’s development, he added that it weakens public institutions, undermines the rule of law, erodes public trust, distorts economic growth, and compromises effective service delivery.
“Consequently, combating corruption cannot be limited to investigation and prosecution alone. It must also involve preventive, educational, and value-driven approaches capable of shaping attitudes, strengthening ethical consciousness, and promoting a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
“It is within this context that education, particularly legal education, becomes indispensable.
“The legal profession occupies a central position in the administration of justice and the sustenance of the rule of law.
“Lawyers serve as custodians of the law, defenders of justice, and critical actors within the justice system.
“As such, the ethical orientation and integrity of legal practitioners significantly influence governance, institutional credibility, and public confidence in the justice system.
“In recognition of this pivotal role, there is an increasing need to inculcate integrity, accountability, and anti-corruption values at the formative stages of legal education”, the ICPC chair declared.
“Embedding these principles within university legal education and professional training at the Nigerian Law School is essential to producing lawyers who are not only intellectually competent but also ethically grounded and committed to national development”, he restated.
