In an address on ethics, morality, and the law, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, expressed concerns over controversial rulings from courts of equal jurisdiction, especially in Kano and Rivers States, where judicial decisions have fueled political conflicts.
She noted that while the judiciary has many diligent and ethical judges, a few are tarnishing its reputation.
Speaking at a public discourse organized by the Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA) to mark its 30th anniversary and celebrate Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru’s elevation to the Supreme Court, Kekere-Ekun emphasized the need for judges to maintain personal and professional integrity.
She reminded the judiciary of their accountability to the law, themselves, and to God, urging them to remain mindful of public perception.
“The perspective of the ordinary citizen, who observes and assesses the extent to which ethics, morality, and the law coexist harmoniously in society, must be taken into consideration,” she stated, stressing that judges are essential in building public trust in the legal system.
Highlighting the ethical roots within Nigerian society, the CJN referenced the influence of the Abrahamic faiths—Islam and Christianity—on the foundations of justice, both of which advocate for moral uprightness. She underscored the dual role of legal practitioners, who, she noted, must often reconcile complex ethical and legal dilemmas.
“The lawyer… must navigate a terrain where law, ethics, and morality intersect,” she added, emphasizing that the role requires upholding societal moral standards while adhering to legal requirements.
Kekere-Ekun acknowledged the challenges faced by the judiciary and urged constant vigilance, as a few errant judges could erode public confidence in the system.
“It is unfortunate that by and large our judges are knowledgeable, upright, courageous, and hardworking, but a few are giving us a bad name,” she lamented.
The CJN’s remarks come at a time when Nigerians are increasingly scrutinizing the judiciary’s role in delivering unbiased and ethically grounded justice.
