Dr. Sam Amadi, an Associate Professor of Law, has called for major reforms in Nigerian legal education after the recent Bar elections, where Mazi Afam Osigwe was elected President. In an interview on Arise TV, Dr. Amadi noted that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has lost its significance since the military era. He pointed out that the NBA previously championed people’s freedom, democratic values, and the rule of law, which had a strong influence on the Supreme Court.
Dr. Amadi criticized the current state of the NBA, calling it a status-driven institution with strong government influence. He noted that in past elections, state governors funded candidates, and there were even rumors of presidential support in the recent election, which had to be publicly denied.
He expressed concern over the judiciary’s corruption, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which shows that the judiciary has the highest per capita corruption. He highlighted that about 77% of Nigerians have no confidence in the judicial system, according to Afrobarometer.
Dr. Amadi urged the new NBA executive to reconsider their approach. He highlighted that, despite his involvement and contributions such as founding the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), the NBA has not produced significant work to advance government development.
He strongly criticized the current form of legal education in Nigeria, labeling the law school as ineffective. He argued that the law school fails to prepare students adequately, as it is neither highly technical nor sufficiently academic. Students spend a year memorizing information for exams rather than gaining practical, professional skills.
Dr. Amadi emphasized the need for a focus on economic development, suggesting that the NBA should create a law and economics group to help draft laws that support economic growth. He highlighted the importance of lawyers understanding economic principles to draft effective laws.
He noted that in the USA, many lawyers have advanced degrees in fields like economics before studying for a Juris Doctor (JD). This approach helps them excel in legal practice. Dr. Amadi suggested that Nigeria adopt a similar system, where lawyers could first earn degrees in areas like economics or political science before attending law school. This would better prepare them for the complexities of creating laws that affect the economy.
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