Speaking on Monday at the opening of the 2025 All Nigeria Judges’ Conference held at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, Justice Kekere-Ekun said a judiciary that seeks national respect must be firm, transparent, and guided by integrity.
She described persistent challenges such as corruption, outdated infrastructure, and operational inefficiencies as obstacles that continue to weaken the justice system.
According to the CJN, the continued financial dependence of the judiciary on the executive arm poses a threat to genuine independence and weakens the constitutional foundation of justice delivery.
“True independence is the bedrock of justice. Where it is absent, the temple of justice trembles. Independence is not a privilege but a constitutional obligation,” she said.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also acknowledged the involvement of some judicial officers in unethical conduct, noting that the National Judicial Council (NJC) is being strengthened to enforce discipline more effectively.
On the growing criticism of judicial decisions in the media, the CJN warned that uninformed commentary erodes public trust and undermines due process, stressing that judges must speak only through their judgments.
She urged judges to prioritize substantive justice over technicalities and ensure that courtrooms remain sanctuaries of truth, fairness, and efficiency.
Administrator of the NJI, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, also emphasized the need to enhance judicial competence, technological adoption, and ethical grounding to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic framework.
According to him, judicial confidence “must be earned daily through disciplined conduct, sound reasoning, and courageous judgments.”
