The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, says it is worrisome that in spite of concerted efforts, allegations of corruption, delays in justice dispensation and bias still persists in the judiciary.
Justice Kekere-Ekun said this on Monday in Abuja while declaring open the 2025 hybrid refresher course for judges of superior courts of record.
“In spite of our collective efforts, challenges persist; Allegations of corruption, delays in the dispensation of justice, and perceptions of bias or inefficiency remain issues of concern,” she said.
The CJN said the impact of the challenges was being felt deeply 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,” she said.
While noting that the judiciary served as the guardian of justice, the final arbiter in disputes, and the ultimate custodian of constitutional order, she added that it however, did 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.”
According to her, 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,” Kekere-Ekun said.
Speaking, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, retired Justice Salisu Abdullahi said that the theme of the course, “Strengthening Public Trust and Confidence in the Judiciary,” was apt.
He said this was because public trust was the very foundation upon which the judiciary’s legitimacy was built.
“However, trust in the Judiciary, like any cherished value, is neither automatic nor enduring without deliberate action.”
He told the participants that public confidence must be earned through conduct that exemplified impartiality, integrity, and diligence
Abdullahi said that the course would afford the judges the opportunity to reflect and deliberate on diverse issues, which had the capacity to diminish the trust and confidence reposed in the Judiciary.
“It will inevitably foster the proffering of workable solutions to address identifiable challenges, and also aid the mapping out of actionable strategies for bolstering the citizenry’s faith in the judicial system,” he said.
Freedomonline reports that the refresher course is part of the institute’s effort at ensuring continuous professional development of judicial officers.
Freedomonline also reports that participants include judges of the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court and State High Courts, as well as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal and judges of the Customary Court of Appeal.
