Judiciary Must Earn Public Trust Through Accountability — CJN

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called on the nation’s judiciary to uphold transparency, integrity, and discipline as essential tools for restoring public confidence in the justice system.

Justice Kekere-Ekun made the call on Monday during the opening ceremony of the 2025/2026 session of the Federal High Court and the 41st annual judges’ conference in Abuja.

She described the occasion as a moment of “sober reflection and institutional renewal” and urged judicial officers to align internal standards with public expectations.

According to the CJN, the Federal High Court occupies a central role in the nation’s governance, with jurisdiction over matters critical to national policy, including revenue, taxation, immigration, intellectual property, and maritime operations.

“The stability, discipline, and consistency of this Court are vital not only to the legal community but to every sector of national life,” she said.

Justice Kekere-Ekun stressed that the judiciary remains the last line of defence for the Constitution and citizens’ rights, noting that trust in judicial institutions is fragile and must be earned through visible professionalism and accountability.

“Where court processes appear unpredictable, opaque, or inefficient, the credibility of even sound decisions may suffer,” she said.

“Independence is not an adornment of democracy; it is its lifeblood. Yet independence alone is insufficient unless coupled with courage, restraint, and fidelity to the law,” the CJN added, while commending judges who continue to discharge their duties with dignity despite increasing pressures.

The Chief Justice also highlighted the complexity of the Court’s workload, citing technology-driven crimes, cross-border commercial disputes, terrorism-related matters, and evolving regulatory frameworks as challenges requiring enhanced case management, adaptation, and digitisation.

In line with this vision, Justice Kekere-Ekun formally unveiled the Federal High Court’s Information Electronic Directory Table and Electronic Notice and Advertorial Display Screens, describing them as tools to promote transparency, order, and accessibility.

She explained that these systems would improve communication of daily cause lists, official announcements, and wayfinding for court visitors.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the CJN urged judicial officers to handle election-related disputes with discipline, consistency, and adherence to constitutional timelines, warning against forum shopping and conflicting interim orders that could undermine public trust.

She also called for improved courtroom discipline to reduce delays in the administration of justice, stressing that effective case management is a central judicial responsibility.

Justice Kekere-Ekun appealed to members of the Bar to uphold the highest standards of advocacy and collaborate constructively with the courts. She also expressed confidence that the Federal High Court would continue to meet the demands of its constitutional mandate through discipline, clarity, innovation, and unwavering commitment to justice.

In his speech, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, said the ceremonial session was a solemn reminder of the Court’s collective responsibility to uphold the rule of law, administer justice impartially, and protect the rights of citizens.

Justice Tsoho paid tribute to departed members of the Federal High Court family, particularly former Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Daniel D. Abutu (Rtd), and Hon. Justice Chrysanthus Paul Naanbuet Senlong, alongside 16 staff members who died during the year, observed that their contributions to the judiciary would not be forgotten.

The Chief Judge disclosed that the Court recorded significant staff exits within the year, with 39 retirements, four voluntary resignations, and five dismissals, describing it as the highest number of retirements in the Court’s history. Despite this, he said the Federal High Court performed creditably in service delivery.

Justice Tsoho highlighted major strides in digitisation, noting that the e-affidavit system launched in Abuja in July 2024 had gained traction across judicial divisions, while electronic filing of court processes had commenced in the Lagos Division, with plans underway to extend it nationwide.

He also announced the completion and occupation of the Federal High Court Headquarters Administrative Wing, easing long-standing office accommodation challenges, alongside ongoing investments in court buildings, judges’ quarters, renovations, and technological equipment across divisions.

Justice Tsoho revealed that at the close of the last session, the Court had 165,905 pending cases, after disposing of 16,019 cases across civil, criminal, motions, and fundamental rights matters, describing the performance as commendable given the Court’s expansive jurisdiction and workload.

The Chief Judge disclosed that the process for appointing 14 additional judges had reached an advanced stage, expressing optimism that their appointment would significantly improve case disposal rates.

Justice Tsoho called for increased funding for the judiciary, appreciation of judicial welfare, and more support from the National Judicial Council, National Assembly, Attorney-General of the Federation, and other stakeholders, while also commending the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, for supporting court infrastructure and judges’ housing.

He also condemned the incessant and unsubstantiated social media attacks on judicial officers by some lawyers, warning that such conduct undermines the profession and called for decisive action to protect the integrity of the Bench.