Kekere-Ekun to 14 FHC judges: you now have burden of impartiality, discipline

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned Nigerians against making frivolous and blanket allegations of corruption against the Judiciary and judicial officers without evidence.

The CJN expressed discomfort about what she called a recent “troubling pattern of broad, sweeping attacks against the Judiciary”.

She said the National Judicial Council (NJC) remained vigilant and would not hesitate to discipline any judge found wanting.

Justice Kekere-Ekun spoke yesterday in Abuja at the swearing-in of 14 newly appointed judges of the Federal High Court (FHC).

The CJN noted that when corruption allegations are made without specificity or evidence, they erode public trust and weaken the institutional authority of the judiciary.

She said: “Let me be clear: the Judiciary does not claim infallibility. Where misconduct is established, it will be addressed firmly and transparently“The National Judicial Council remains vigilant and will not hesitate to discipline any judicial officer found wanting. Accountability is indispensable to judicial independence.

“But independence itself must be protected from careless assault. Criticism must be responsible. Allegations must be evidence-based.”

“Institutions must not be casually delegitimised; for when confidence in the courts collapses, the rule of law itself is imperilled,” the CJN stated.

Justice Kekere-Ekun added: “It has become fashionable in some quarters to deploy blanket allegations of corruption against the institution as a whole.

“While constructive criticism is legitimate in a constitutional democracy, indiscriminate denunciation is neither fair nor responsible.”

“Such sweeping generalisations wound deeply. They do not merely criticise decisions; they cast aspersions on the integrity of men and women who have lived honourably, laboured faithfully, and discharged their duties with unblemished records.

“When corruption is alleged without specificity, without evidence, and without recourse to established complaint mechanisms, the damage is collective.

“It erodes public trust, weakens institutional authority, and unjustly stains reputations built over decades of sacrifice. A judge who has served with integrity should not be made to stand under a cloud created by reckless rhetoric,” she said.

The CJN urged the new judges to abide by the oath of their office, stressing that the appointment would expose them to heightened scrutiny, instantaneous commentary, and amplified public opinion.

“You must not allow either praise or criticism to distract you from your constitutional duty. Your judgments must speak with clarity. Your conduct must be above reproach.

“You must resist every subtle pressure, be it social, political, financial, or relational. The temptation may not always come in dramatic form; sometimes it comes clothed in familiarity, influence, or convenience. Guard your independence jealously.

“Maintain measured distance from entanglements that could compromise perception. Remember always that perception, in judicial life, is almost as powerful as reality,” she said.

(The Nation)

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