“CJN Kekere-Ekun Calls for Urgent Action to Address Judicial Corruption and Bias”

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has raised significant concerns over ongoing issues of corruption, judicial delays, and bias within the country’s judicial system, despite continuous reform efforts.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday at the opening of the 2025 hybrid refresher course for judges of superior courts, Kekere-Ekun emphasized the serious consequences these challenges have on public trust in the judiciary. She stated, “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 warned that these issues undermine the judiciary’s authority and erode public confidence, creating a dangerous disconnect between the courts and society. She called for swift, decisive action to restore faith in the system, stressing, “The onus is therefore on us to confront these challenges head-on and reaffirm our commitment to judicial excellence.”

Justice Kekere-Ekun pointed out that the judiciary’s legitimacy is deeply intertwined with public trust, highlighting that, “Without public confidence, the judiciary’s moral authority is diminished, and its ability to discharge its constitutional mandate is impaired.” She called for integrity, professionalism, and transparency to rebuild that trust.

Reiterating the importance of impartiality, the CJN emphasized that it is not enough to simply be impartial — the judiciary must also be perceived as impartial. “It is not enough to be impartial; we must also be seen to be impartial,” she remarked.

In support of these views, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, retired Justice Salisu Abdullahi, also underscored the critical role of public trust in the judiciary. Speaking at the course, themed “Strengthening Public Trust and Confidence in the Judiciary,” Abdullahi stressed that trust is not automatic, and must be earned through actions that exemplify impartiality, integrity, and diligence.

He explained that the refresher course provides an opportunity for judges to reflect on the challenges that could erode public trust and explore solutions for restoring confidence in the judicial system. “This will ultimately help in identifying practical strategies to strengthen citizens’ faith in the judicial system,” Abdullahi added.

The course is part of the National Judicial Institute’s ongoing efforts to ensure the continuous professional development of Nigeria’s judicial officers.