The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has issued a clarion call for sweeping reforms within the judiciary, lamenting persistent allegations of corruption, judicial delays, and bias that continue to undermine the integrity of the nation’s legal system.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday at the opening of the 2025 Hybrid Refresher Course for Judges of Superior Courts, Kekere-Ekun did not mince words as she highlighted the far-reaching consequences of these issues, warning that they erode public confidence and threaten the very fabric of justice in Nigeria.
> “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 stated.
Judiciary at a Crossroads: The Need for Urgent Reforms
The CJN stressed that the judiciary’s authority is intrinsically linked to the trust and confidence of the public. Without it, she warned, the courts risk losing their moral and constitutional standing.
> “Without public confidence, the judiciary’s moral authority is diminished, and its ability to discharge its constitutional mandate is impaired,” she declared.
Kekere-Ekun emphasized that judicial officers must hold themselves to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and transparency to rebuild trust in the system. She further cautioned that even the perception of bias could be as damaging as actual misconduct.
Echoing the CJN’s concerns, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), retired Justice Salisu Abdullahi, underscored the critical role of public trust in maintaining the judiciary’s legitimacy. Addressing participants at the refresher course themed “Strengthening Public Trust and Confidence in the Judiciary,” Abdullahi stressed that judicial trust is not automatic but must be deliberately cultivated.
> “Public confidence must be earned through conduct that exemplifies impartiality, integrity, and diligence,” he stated.
According to Abdullahi, the refresher course provides an avenue for judges to reflect on the challenges threatening judicial credibility and explore practical solutions to restore public faith in the system.
> “This will ultimately help in identifying strategies to strengthen citizens’ faith in the judicial process,” he added.
The judiciary, often regarded as the last hope of the common man, faces mounting scrutiny as allegations of bribery, undue influence, and inefficiency persist. While the Nigerian legal system has undergone various reforms, these issues continue to cast a long shadow over its credibility.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s emphatic call for reforms signals a moment of reckoning—one that demands decisive action to cleanse the judiciary of corruption and inefficiency. Whether her words will translate into meaningful change remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the fight to restore judicial integrity must be relentless, or the system risks losing its legitimacy altogether.
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