”Prioritise mentorship, ethical conduct, professional values over pursuit for quick financial gains” – ICPC chair urges young lawyers

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has urged young lawyers in Nigeria to prioritise mentorship, ethical conduct, and professional values over the pursuit of quick financial gains and prestige.

He made the call last week during a panel session at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mentorship Committee’s Welcome Program for Young Lawyers, held at the NBA Secretariat in Abuja.

SolaceBase reports that Dr. Aliyu stressed that while ambition is natural for newly called lawyers, the absence of proper guidance can easily lead to ethical compromises.

According to him, many young lawyers today face intense pressure from economic hardship and client expectations, which may push them toward unethical practices if not properly mentored.

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“It is very easy for an ambitious new wig to become absorbed in unethical conduct due to overzealousness, greed, prevalent corruption, economic hardship or client’s expectations without proper guidance,” he warned.

Quoting Rule 1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023, Dr. Aliyu reminded young lawyers that a legal practitioner must uphold the rule of law, maintain a high standard of professional conduct, and avoid any behaviour unbecoming of the profession.

He emphasised that mentorship must go beyond technical training, arguing that true mentorship involves instilling ethical values, sound judgment, and personal discipline in the discharge of professional duties.

“Mentorship is every experienced practitioner’s duty to the younger generation and to the nation,” he said.

Furthermore, Dr. Aliyu advised senior lawyers not to limit their mentees to areas of law they personally prefer, but instead expose them to various fields so they can make informed choices based on performance and interest.

He also encouraged young lawyers to take advantage of digital platforms to access guidance and learning across jurisdictions.

According to him, technology now allows for virtual mentorship, even enabling mentees to have multiple mentors from different specialisations.

Dr. Aliyu, who rose from private practice to become Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Jigawa State, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and later Chairman of ICPC, attributed much of his professional growth to the guidance of mentors.

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He acknowledged the roles of the late Alhaji Aliyu Umar, SAN, Justice M.K. Dabo, Esq., Prof. Nasiru Adamu Aliyu, SAN, and Mr. Peter Aki in shaping his career.

In his concluding remarks, he advised young lawyers to remain focused, disciplined, and committed to service, noting that real success in the legal profession stems from ethical practice, continuous learning, and a clear sense of purpose.