The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has issued a stern warning to newly appointed judges of the lower courts, cautioning them against accepting unsolicited gifts from litigants and the public.
The warning was delivered during the opening ceremony of an induction course for newly appointed judges of the lower courts, held at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja on Tuesday. Justice Kekere-Ekun was represented at the event by the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Babatunde Adejumo.
​Speaking at the induction ceremony for the new judicial officers, Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized that compromise has no place in the judiciary and warned that taking gifts is a slippery slope that could land them in severe trouble.
The CJN reminded the judges that the integrity of the judiciary rests heavily on their shoulders, as they serve as the primary point of contact for the average citizen seeking justice.
Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that unsolicited gestures are rarely free and are often sophisticated attempts to compromise a judge’s impartiality.
She urged the new appointees to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers to avoid career-ending missteps.
The CJN reiterated that the National Judicial Council (NJC) remains highly vigilant and will not hesitate to sanction, dismiss, or prosecute any officer found guilty of misconduct.
​”The office you hold is sacred. A single act of indiscretion can destroy a reputation built over decades. You must learn to say a firm ‘No’ to gifts that compromise your independence,” Justice Kekere-Ekun stated.
​In addition to avoiding financial temptations, the CJN charged the judges to be diligent, punctual, and innovative in managing their court dockets to help reduce the backlog of cases lagging in the lower courts.
​The induction training, aimed at equipping the new judges with the necessary tools for effective justice delivery, concludes later this week.
