The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has expressed concerns that the actions of few judges are tarnishing the reputation of the Nigerian judiciary, despite the presence of many upright and dedicated judges within the system.
Speaking on Saturday at a public discourse themed “Ethics, Morality, and the Law,” organized by the Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA) to celebrate its 30th anniversary and the elevation of Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru to the Supreme Court, Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized the diligence and expertise of Nigeria’s judiciary.
However, she urged judges to remain mindful that “as individuals, we are accountable to ourselves and to God.”
The CJN emphasized the importance of public perception, noting that citizens observe how ethics, morality, and law function in harmony and that the public’s acceptance of legal principles relies on clarity, judicial independence, and the fair exercise of authority.
According to her, the justice system is also shaped by the moral teachings of the Abrahamic faiths, which emphasize integrity and righteousness. “The role of the legal practitioner within this framework merits particular attention,” she stated, adding that lawyers must navigate the intersection of law, ethics, and morality.
“The lawyer, often seen as both antagonist and protagonist in the pursuit of justice, must navigate a terrain where law, ethics, and morality intersect,” she said. “This dual role requires balancing the scriptures and the law with ethical constitutions, often containing moral and legal questions that may seem at odds. As a minister in the temple of justice, the lawyer’s commitment to justice involves upholding legal standards, while advancing principles that follow society’s ethical expectations.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun concluded, “I will say we take notes of everything that has been said. As the Honourable Attorney General pointed out, and this happens in every sector of our society, it is unfortunate that by and large our judges are knowledgeable, upright, courageous, and hardworking but a few are giving us a bad name.”