BY PATRICK MGBODO (WITH AGENCY REPORTS)
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has urged judges to uphold the sanctity of their profession by safeguarding integrity, noting that the strength and honour of the judiciary lie in proper and unequivocal interpretation of the constitution.
Declaring the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference open at the National Judicial Institute, President Tinubu noted that the public perception of the Bench should be of utmost concern, particularly in protecting the nation’s democracy.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the theme of the biennial conference was particularly timely, reflecting the prevailing perception in the country, and assured that the government would support the judiciary.
“The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Building a Confident Judiciary,’ could not be more fitting. Confidence is the lifeblood of justice. A judgment may be grounded in law and delivered with clarity, but unless the public perceives it to be fair, impartial, and untainted, its moral authority is diminished.
“The confidence of the people is, therefore, not an abstract aspiration. It is the living measure of the Judiciary’s legitimacy and the true currency of justice. “We must acknowledge, with candour, that public perception of the judicial process has not always been favourable. Citizens have expressed frustration at delays, concerns about integrity, and anxiety over access to justice.
“These perceptions, whether wholly justified or not, cannot be ignored. They call upon us to reflect, to reform, and to restore. For ultimately, justice does not exist for the Bench or the Bar; it exists for the people. Their faith in the judicial process is the foundation of our national stability,’’ he added.
President Tinubu stated that judges must uphold the spirit of the law. “Bricks and mortar, or even digital screens, do not make justice. The true strength of the Judiciary lies in the men and women who interpret the law and give life to its spirit.
“Our Judges are the living custodians of justice; the calibre of their work defines the moral strength of the Republic. That is why judicial welfare, training, and independence are not privileges; they are imperatives,” the President said.
“My administration believes that a Judiciary that is strong in capacity, efficient in processes, and uncompromising in integrity is not merely desirable; it is indispensable to the survival of our democracy and the prosperity of our nation.
“We cannot build a just society without a fearless and functional Judiciary. In this spirit, we have resolved to provide the institutional and material support that will enable our courts to perform their duties with dignity, confidence, and efficiency.
“Our courts must no longer be places where cases languish for years. They must become beacons of efficiency, where disputes are resolved swiftly, and where litigants depart with renewed confidence in the rule of law,” the President added.
President Tinubu urged participants to be rigorous and courageous in addressing the challenges facing the judiciary. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, expressed gratitude to the President for his commitment to the cause of justice in the country.
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 attend the biennial conference. Serving and retired Justices of High Courts also participate in the conference.
