President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the Body of Benchers to pursue bold, practical reforms capable of restoring public confidence in the judiciary and strengthening the rule of law.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference of the Superior Courts in Abuja, the President said; “the Judiciary remains the stabilising force of the nation’s democracy but cautioned that it’s appears threatened when justice is delayed or tainted by corruption.”
President Tinubu also told them that the growing backlog of court cases across the country is unacceptable, insisting that Nigeria cannot build a just society with slow or compromised justice delivery.
He stressed that “confidence is the lifeblood of justice,” and that the moral authority of the courts depends largely on public perception of fairness and integrity.
He said; “The backlog of cases in our courts must be addressed with urgency,” he said. “Our courts must no longer be places where cases languish for years. Justice exists for the people, and their faith in the judicial process is the foundation of our national stability.”
The President highlighted that Nigerians have long expressed dissatisfaction with delayed judgments, questionable conduct, and challenges in accessing justice.
President Tinubu noted that these concerns demand honest reflection and decisive action. “These perceptions, whether wholly justified or not, cannot be ignored. They call upon us to reflect, to reform, and to restore.”
He further reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to strengthening judicial capacity, improving working conditions, and modernising infrastructure across courts nationwide.
The Nigerian Leader identified technology as a cardinal tool saying “it must now become central to judicial operations, with digitisation, integrated case management, and transparent processes forming the backbone of future reforms.
“Support must be tangible, not ceremonial. We will prioritise modern infrastructure, digital processes, and efficient case management.”
“A digital, transparent judiciary will deepen accountability and public trust. We should not leave any of our courts behind in this transformation,” the President said.
Beyond infrastructure, he emphasised that judicial officers remain the true custodians of justice.
President Tinubu pledged continued support for welfare, training, and the work of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), noting that “continuous learning and intellectual renewal must define the Bench.”
Subsequently cautioning against corruption, President Tinubu warned that no reform will succeed unless integrity is upheld at all times.
He stressed that corruption within the Judiciary is a direct assault on democracy.
“Justice must never be for sale, and the Bench must never become a sanctuary for compromise,” he declared.
President Tinubu said; “Corruption in any arm of government weakens the nation, but corruption in the Judiciary destroys it at its core. Only a Judiciary that cleanses itself can command the moral authority to cleanse society.”
He emphasised that judicial discipline must be firm, transparent, and consistent, stressing that safeguarding the integrity of the courts is a collective obligation resting on every judicial officer, not just the National Judicial Council.
President Tinubu urged the judges to adopt actionable reforms that strengthen discipline, reduce congestion in courts, and make justice more affordable and accessible to ordinary citizens.
He reminded the judicial officers that their work shapes the moral conscience of the Republic and determines whether Nigeria remains a country where no citizen is too weak to be heard and no authority too powerful to be restrained by law.
Declaring the conference open, the President said; “the story of Nigeria’s democracy is still being written through the courage, fairness, and integrity of judicial decisions.”
President Tinubu expressed optimism that the resolutions from the conference would be transformative and would reinforce the Judiciary as the guardian of the nation’s democratic ideals.
He added that each fair judgment strengthens the Republic; each courageous ruling preserves its soul.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun expressed gratitude to the President for his commitment to the cause of justice in the country.
Kekere-Ekun said; “We deeply appreciate your abiding commitment to the cause of justice in our dear nation. Today, we gathered not merely to reflect on our responsibility as custodians of justice but to take a decisive step towards a judiciary that embodies integrity, resilience, and unwavering public confidence.”
Former and serving Chief Justices of Nigeria, retired and serving Presidents of the Court of Appeal, Justices of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, Heads of Courts, and Judges across the nation attended the biennial conference.
Lateefah Ibrahim