While the repeated calls on the judiciary to safeguard its dignity, uphold integrity, and curb misconduct are a necessary reminder of its critical role in a democracy, they often fall on deaf ears and rarely reflect in court judgments, Davidson Iriekpen writes
Judges and judicial officers who gathered for the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja last week did not believe what they heard. They were denigrated, chastised, derided, reprimanded and scolded. It was an opportunity to remind them to always uphold the integrity of the judiciary to build public confidence in the courts.
Even President Bola Tinubu spoke to them in scathing words, telling them pointblank that justice must never be for sale.
He did not only warn them to shun corruption, but advised them to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary.
According to the president, corruption in any form weakens the nation and destroys the sector to the core. He said governance loses its integrity and democracy loses its foundation when justice is compromised.
“Let us be clear. No amount of reform can succeed if integrity is compromised. Justice must never be for sale. The bench must never be called a sanctuary for compromise,” he said.
The president stressed that public confidence in the courts depends on a fair and untainted interpretation of the Constitution. He warned that public perception of the bench should concern every judicial officer, especially at a time when the nation’s democracy depends heavily on trust in justice institutions.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Tinubu noted that the growing backlog of cases and the slow pace of justice delivery were unacceptable and harmful to Nigeria’s democratic stability. He posited that Nigerians have repeatedly expressed frustration over delayed judgments, questionable conduct of judges, and the difficulty of accessing justice.
The president also said these concerns require honest reflection and decisive action. He urged judges to implement reforms that strengthen discipline, reduce congestion in courts, and make justice more accessible and affordable to citizens.
“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,” he added.
Similarly, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, called for deeper judicial independence, stricter ethical discipline, and far-reaching reforms to restore public confidence in the Nigerian justice system.
She emphasised that a judiciary that commands national respect must be firm in upholding independence, committed to strong ethical standards, and determined to eliminate administrative inefficiencies.
According to her, the judiciary still operates within a framework of financial dependence on the executive, a situation she said weakens true independence and threatens the integrity of justice delivery.
“A judiciary that commands respect must be unwavering in upholding independence, firm in strengthening ethical standards, and resolute in eliminating inefficiencies in court administration. True independence is the bedrock of justice; where it is absent, the temple of justice trembles.
“We must also acknowledge a difficult but undeniable truth: The judiciary continues to operate within a democratic framework where financial dependence on the Executive persists. Without genuine financial autonomy, judicial independence remains fragile.
“True independence is the bedrock of justice; where it is absent, the temple of justice trembles. Independence is not a privilege; it is a moral and constitutional obligation that guarantees fairness and equality before the law,” the CJN said.
Addressing the issue of corruption within the system, the CJN admitted that some judicial officers have fallen short of the ethical expectations of the bench, warning that the judicial robe “is never a cloak for impropriety but a symbol of incorruptible honour.”
The CJN urged judges to prioritise substantive justice over technicalities and ensure that their decisions reflect fairness, equity and the spirit of the law. She said courts must be sanctuaries of truth, accessible and efficient, and must lead the process of reform rather than merely adapting to change.
While acknowledging the judiciary’s historic role in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, the CJN said it must now go further by deepening democratic values through transparent and timely justice delivery.
While President Tinubu may have used unpalatable words in the judiciary, many feel that his executive arm of government is the one fuelling corruption in the all important third arm of government.
They added that it is not the duty of the executive arm of government to build courts, houses and buy cars judges.
Those who spoke with THISDAY in confidence stated that for a complete independence of the judiciary, adequate funds should be provided for it to embark on its projects with interference.
But beyond the sermons at the event, public confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary remains low, according to a 2025 survey by the Africa Polling Institute.
The study found that 79 per cent of Nigerians have little or no trust in the judiciary, citing delays, perceived corruption, and limited access to justice as primary concerns.
Analysts say this trust deficit directly affects the legitimacy of judicial decisions and the public’s faith in the rule of law. Experts and judicial leaders have also warned that a strong, transparent, and efficient judiciary is indispensable for national stability.
Corruption is widely considered the greatest bane of the Nigerian judiciary. It appears in forms such as bribery, selective application of the law, and manipulation of court processes, leading to the perversion of justice and an unequal system that favours the wealthy and the influential. Public confidence in the judiciary is low, partly due to persistent allegations of corruption.
The third arm of government struggles with substantial influence and pressure from the executive arm of government. This interference affects funding, and decision-making, compromising impartiality. The executive’s occasional disobedience of court orders further erodes the rule of law. Also, the allegations of bias and bribery continue to be reported, indicating the urgent need for institutional reforms to safeguard judicial integrity.
Also, judicial appointments are frequently influenced by political, ethnic, and religious considerations rather than merit, legal experience, or intellectual depth. This practice compromises the quality and integrity of judicial officers and creates a system where career advancement can depend on political loyalty.
Added to all these, the court system is notorious for delays, endless adjournments, procedural abuses by lawyers, and a backlog of cases, resulting in prolonged justice delivery. Justice delayed, they say, is justice denied.
These delays can lead to public apathy towards litigation.
Reports indicate that over 243,000 cases were pending in superior courts of record as of early 2024, while litigants frequently waited years for resolutions.
Civic surveys, including those by HEDA, reveal that almost half of the citizens who interacted with the courts admitted to paying officials to expedite processes. The HEDA report noted that without addressing these systemic weaknesses, public perception will continue to suffer.
Nigeria’s judiciary, as the guardian of its laws and order, must reflect on its past mistakes that have undermined public confidence and make necessary corrections. This will also create a stable political and economic society at large.
