Justice Emmanuel Agim of the Supreme Court has refuted claims suggesting that members of the Nigerian judiciary belong to secret cults, insisting that juldges are guided by conscience, integrity, and faith.
He made this known during the Legacy Dialogue 2.0 organised by the JASAN Foundation in Abuja, with the theme “Institutionalization of Mentorship in the Legal Profession: A Strategic Blueprint for Professional Development.”
Speaking passionately about the values that sustain the judiciary, Justice Agim dismissed rumours of judicial officers being part of cult groups. According to him, such allegations are baseless and offensive. “I have a conscience. Otherwise, I should not be praying or attending church. God is my fortress and my refuge. You cannot be evil and expect God to protect you. But each time I say this, a friend would joke, saying, ‘I thought they said you justices belong to cults.’ It is not so. We are ordinary human beings,” he said.
Justice Agim expressed concern over the growing moral and professional decline among some members of the legal community. He lamented that some lawyers are now more interested in winning cases at all costs rather than seeking justice. “When I was a lawyer, cases were settled based on law and reasoning. Today, some lawyers hold judgments but do not read them. They go on television and speak with so much ignorance and confidence. It is a shame,” he remarked.
Reflecting on his career, the Supreme Court justice revealed that he has delivered over 600 judgments and stressed that true understanding of the law comes only through deep study. “If a lawyer knows the law, it is difficult for him to be unethical. If a judge knows the law, it is difficult for him to be corrupt. But ignorance makes misconduct easy,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, retired Justice Ejembi Eko, represented by Justice Mabel Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, emphasized the need for structured mentorship in the legal profession. He warned that the legal system could lose its moral foundation if experienced lawyers fail to guide the younger generation, saying, “We multiplied numbers without multiplying mentors. Any profession that leaves its young ones unguided loses its future.”
Founder of the JASAN Foundation, Johnny Agim (SAN), and Ondo State Attorney-General Dr. Kayode Ajulo (SAN), both echoed the call for mentorship, noting that success in the legal profession should not be defined by personal achievement alone but by one’s contribution to shaping future leaders. They urged the bar and bench to promote integrity, continuous learning, and service to humanity.