Abuja: The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged judges of lower courts to guard their integrity jealously to avoid compromising the standards of ethics and professionalism of the judiciary. The CJN made the call in Abuja as she inducted newly appointed magistrates, judges of sharia, area, and customary courts. The induction was organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Kekere-Ekun, who was represented by Justice Chidiebere Uwa, stated that judicial independence is not only a constitutional imperative but also the bedrock of public trust in the justice system. She emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity, vigilance against corruption, and ensuring that conduct reflects high standards of ethics and professionalism. The CJN advised judges to avoid any perception of bias or undue interest and to approach their duties with humility and a clear understanding of the trust placed in them by Nigerians.
The CJN further encouraged the newly inducted judges to seek guidance from more experienced seniors, but underscored that decisions must ultimately be their own, based on independent evaluation of the law and the facts. She reiterated the necessity for timely and professional administration of justice, highlighting the importance of quality judicial decisions that consider both legal mastery and socio-economic contexts.
Justice Kekere-Ekun expressed concern over persistent delays in trial processes, which continue to hinder the effective administration of justice. She urged the judiciary to adopt more efficient practices and foster a culture that values expediency without compromising fairness. The strategic use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms was suggested as a means to improve efficiency and provide swifter, less adversarial pathways to justice.
Retired Justice Salisu Abdullahi, the administrator of the institute, addressed the judges, emphasizing their potential to strengthen or inadvertently erode public perception of the judiciary. He highlighted the significance of the judges’ roles and reminded them that judicial efficiency and the quality of decisions have far-reaching implications. Abdullahi announced that the institute would soon conduct an assessment tour to evaluate the impact of its training programs on the judges.
The induction theme, “Enhancing Judicial Efficiency and Quality of Decision Making,” underscores the crucial role of judges in maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the judiciary.