The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun,has expressed worry over the persistent allegations of corruption, delays in justice dispensation, bias etc bedeviling the Nigerian Judiciary.
She disclosed this on Monday, while declaring open, the 2025 hybrid refresher course for Judges of the superior courts of record.
She lamented that in spite of concerted efforts, these challenges still persist.
“Despite our collective efforts, challenges persist—allegations of corruption, delays in the dispensation of justice, and perceptions of bias or inefficiency remain issues of concern”, Justice Kekere-Ekun stated.
While these challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria, the CJN posited that their impact is deeply felt within the judicial system.
“They undermine public confidence, weaken the Judiciary’s authority, and create a dangerous gulf between the courts and the society they serve.
“The onus is therefore on us to confront these challenges head-on and reaffirm our commitment to judicial excellence” the CJN said.
The CJN reminded the judicial officers that the Judiciary serves as the guardian of justice, the final arbiter in disputes, and the ultimate custodian of constitutional order.
Justice Kekere-Ekun explained that the Judiciary does not exist in a vacuum; “its authority and effectiveness are inextricably linked to the trust and confidence that the public reposes in it.
“Without public confidence, the Judiciary’s moral authority is diminished, and its ability to discharge its constitutional mandate is impaired.
“However, public trust is neither assumed nor conferred—it must be earned and safeguarded through judicial integrity, professionalism, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
“As Judicial Officers, we bear the solemn responsibility of ensuring that justice is dispensed with fairness, impartiality, and efficiency.
“It is not enough to be impartial; we must also be seen to be impartial. The perception of bias or impropriety can be as damaging as the reality itself” the CJN stated.
The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Hon. Justice Salisu Abdullahi (rtd), stated that the theme of the course, “Strengthening Public Trust and Confidence in the Judiciary,” could not have been more fitting, seeing that public trust is the very foundation upon which the Judiciary’s legitimacy is built.
“It is the intangible currency that enables the courts to serve as the ultimate arbiters of disputes, the defenders of constitutional rights, and the custodians of justice”.
