Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), has expressed concerns over persistent challenges in the judiciary, including corruption allegations, delays in justice delivery, and perceived bias, despite ongoing efforts to address them.
Speaking on Monday at the opening of the 2025 hybrid refresher course for judges of superior courts of record in Abuja, Kekere-Ekun acknowledged that these issues continue to undermine public confidence in the judicial system.
“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.
She noted that these challenges weaken the judiciary’s authority and create a disconnect 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 added.
Kekere-Ekun highlighted that the judiciary’s role as the guardian of justice and the final arbiter in disputes is deeply tied to public trust.
“Without public confidence, the judiciary’s moral authority is diminished, and its ability to discharge its constitutional mandate is impaired.”
She emphasized that public trust is not automatic, but must be earned and safeguarded through judicial integrity, professionalism, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
“It is not enough to be impartial; we must also be seen to be impartial.”
Salisu Abdullahi, Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), described the theme of the refresher course, “Strengthening Public Trust and Confidence in the Judiciary,” as timely.
He noted that public trust forms the foundation of the judiciary’s legitimacy, stressing that it must be actively maintained.
“Trust in the judiciary, like any cherished value, is neither automatic nor enduring without deliberate action,” Abdullahi stated.
He added that the refresher course provides judges with an opportunity to reflect on and address issues that could erode public trust in the judiciary.
The programme is part of the NJI’s continuous professional development initiatives for judicial officers.
