The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has issued a stern warning to newly appointed magistrates and judicial officers, emphasizing that corruption and judicial misconduct will not be tolerated under her leadership.
Speaking at the induction ceremony organized by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, Justice Kekere-Ekun reaffirmed her commitment to restoring public confidence in the judiciary. She declared that the era of frivolous ex-parte orders, interim injunctions, and unethical practices must come to an end.
“Integrity is not optional—it is the foundation of justice,” the CJN stated. “Any officer found indulging in corrupt practices will face decisive disciplinary action. The judiciary must be a sanctuary of fairness, not a marketplace for influence.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun also addressed the growing concern over conflicting court judgments and abuse of judicial powers. She announced plans to accelerate the digitalization of court processes to ensure transparency and consistency across all levels of the judiciary.
In her remarks, she urged magistrates to uphold the rule of law, maintain independence, and resist external pressures that could compromise their duties. She further called on senior lawyers to refrain from making declarative comments on pending cases in the media, warning that such actions undermine the sanctity of the judicial process.