Social Media Lawyers Put Legal Ethics and Justice at Risk, Warns Ahiakwo

Table of Contents

1. Warning on Social Media Misuse
2. The Emergence of Online Lawyers
3. Impact on Professional Ethics
4. New RPC Regulations
5. Condemnation of Lawyer-Politicians
6. Call to Action for the NBA
7. Conclusion

Public commentator and legal practitioner, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, has cautioned that the increasing misuse of social media by lawyers jeopardizes professional ethics and public trust in Nigeria’s justice system.

In an interview with DAILY POST, Ahiakwo stated that the digital revolution has given rise to a new generation of online lawyers whose activities often blur the distinction between legal education and partisan advocacy. While social media serves to inform the public, he pointed out that it has also become a vehicle for self-promotion and political manipulation.

He elaborated that many lawyers, particularly those involved in politics, now utilize digital platforms to sway public opinion on judicial issues—a trend that contravenes the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) and undermines the integrity of the legal profession.

Prior to the advent of social media, he noted, publicity among lawyers was confined to traditional media and was largely contained.

“Nowadays, lawyers dominate platforms like X, Facebook, and YouTube, discussing court decisions and political controversies more for popularity than professionalism,” he remarked.

Ahiakwo characterized this trend as both “innovative and perilous,” emphasizing that the “social media lawyer” embodies a blend of enlightenment and ethical decline. Quoting Lord Atkin, he cautioned that freedom of expression must not devolve into actions that compromise justice.

He pointed out that the new RPC, which will come into effect in 2024, prohibits lawyers from solicitation and prejudicial commentary on ongoing cases; however, these regulations are frequently overlooked.

“As Justice Oputa once remarked, when moral integrity collapses, the temple of justice shakes,” he reminded.

Ahiakwo denounced the emergence of lawyer-politicians who exploit social media to manipulate public sentiment or undermine judges.

“Such behavior is unethical and contrary to a lawyer’s oath,” he asserted, referencing Okike v. LPDC (2005), which categorizes actions that tarnish the profession as misconduct.

He called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to establish clear digital guidelines, encourage responsible communication, and enhance disciplinary measures against online misconduct.

Ahiakwo added that while social media can facilitate public enlightenment, it must not transform into a platform for vanity or bias.

“The future of the legal profession relies not on how loudly a lawyer voices opinions online but on how ethically he upholds justice,” he concluded.