President Bola Tinubu on Monday issued a stern warning to judicial officers, declaring that no amount of institutional reform can succeed if the integrity of the Bench is compromised.
Declaring the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference open at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, the President urged judges to uphold the sanctity of their profession, stating that the strength of the judiciary rests on the proper and unequivocal interpretation of the constitution.
The biennial conference, themed “Building a Confident Judiciary,” served as the platform for the President’s address, where he candidly addressed the widespread public dissatisfaction with the judicial process.
“Confidence is the lifeblood of justice. A judgment may be grounded in law but unless the public perceives it to be fair, impartial, and untainted, its moral authority is diminished,” Tinubu said.
“Citizens have expressed frustration at delays, concerns about integrity, and anxiety over access to justice. These perceptions cannot be ignored.”
Tinubu reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to supporting the judiciary’s constitutional mandate, noting that a judiciary strong in capacity, efficient in processes, and uncompromising in integrity is “indispensable to the survival of our democracy.”
He outlined key areas of support, highlighting judicial welfare, training, and independence as imperatives.
He also prioritised technological modernisation, including the digitisation of court processes, integrated case management systems, and secure judicial facilities to promote efficiency and accountability.
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On case resolution, he vowed that courts must no longer be places where cases languish for years, but should instead become beacons of efficiency.
Responding to the President’s call, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, expressed gratitude for the President’s commitment to justice.
She acknowledged the critical task at hand, stating: “The temple of Justice trembles where justice is denied. We must be a symbol of incorruptible honour.”
The CJN noted that the conference provides an invaluable platform for judges to strengthen institutional ethics and reaffirm their commitment to dispensing justice with “precision, fairness, and accessibility.”
The event, which aims to propel the judiciary forward through collaboration and strategic resolutions, was attended by former and serving Chief Justices of Nigeria, Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Heads of Courts, and judges across the nation.
