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 efforts to tackle them.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday at the opening of the 2025 hybrid refresher course for judges of superior courts of record, Kekere-Ekun acknowledged that the 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,” the CJN said.
She noted that the 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.
Highlighting the judiciary’s role as the guardian of justice and the final arbiter in disputes, Kekere-Ekun noted that its effectiveness 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,” the CJN stated.
“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.”
She urged judicial officers to ensure that justice is dispensed with fairness, impartiality, and efficiency, stressing that the perception of bias can be as damaging as actual impropriety.
“It is not enough to be impartial; we must also be seen to be impartial,” she added.
Salisu Abdullahi, the administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), described the theme of the course, “Strengthening public trust and confidence in the judiciary,” as timely.
Abdullahi said public trust forms the foundation of the judiciary’s legitimacy, noting that it must be actively maintained.
“Trust in the judiciary, like any cherished value, is neither automatic nor enduring without deliberate action,” he stated.
The refresher course, he explained, 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.
