By: Charles Ogba, Abuja
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has called on judges across the country to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and judicial independence, describing a principled justice system as essential not only to Nigeria’s democracy but to global stability and economic confidence.
Speaking in Abuja while declaring open the All Nigeria Judges’ Conference 2025, President Tinubu warned that the judiciary must remain a “beacon of justice, free from external influence, political pressure, and corruption.”
“A courageous, transparent, and principled judiciary is the greatest guarantee of freedom. A slow, compromised, or disconnected Judiciary is its greatest threat,” he said.
Positioning the judiciary at the centre of national and international trust, President Tinubu stressed that a strong justice system influences foreign investment, international cooperation, and regional security.
“My administration believes that a Judiciary that is strong in capacity, efficient in process, and uncompromising in integrity is not merely desirable; it is indispensable to the survival of our democracy and the prosperity of our nation,” he stated.
“We cannot build a just society without a fearless and functional Judiciary.”
Tinubu added that judicial reforms remain a top priority, noting that the digitisation of court processes, integrated case management systems, and secure judicial infrastructure will receive “sustained attention” from his administration.
He cautioned that preserving institutional credibility is non-negotiable.
“Corruption in any arm of government weakens the nation, but corruption in the judiciary destroys it at its core.”
Also addressing the conference, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, underscored that the judiciary must remain firm in upholding ethical standards and eliminating systemic inefficiencies.
“At this pivotal moment in our nation’s judicial landscape, we must confront the realities that threaten the very foundation of public trust,” she warned.
“A Judiciary that fears public opinion more than the dictates of the law ceases to be the guardian of justice,” she added.
Justice Kekere-Ekun affirmed that the judiciary, as the guardian of democratic stability, must protect its independence to retain both domestic credibility and global respect.
Olusola Akintonde