Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun Declares Open National Workshop on Judicial Ethics for Lower Court Judges

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, has officially declared open the 2026 National Workshop on Judicial Ethics for Judges of the Lower Courts of Record. The event, organised by the National Judicial Institute, took place on Monday, April 27, 2026, at the Andrews Otutu Obaseki Auditorium of the institute in Abuja.

In her keynote address, the Chief Justice, who also serves as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute, emphasised that judicial ethics is neither abstract nor merely academic, but lies at the very foundation of judicial legitimacy. She stated, “Without ethical discipline, judicial authority loses its persuasive force; with it, the Judiciary commands respect even in moments of disagreement.”

Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that for the vast majority of Nigerians, justice is experienced at the grassroots, in Magistrates’ Courts, Area Courts, Customary Courts, and other Lower Courts that serve as the immediate interface between the Judiciary and society. She described these courts as the living face of justice within communities and the primary guardians of public confidence in the legal system. “Since the Lower Courts sit closest to the people, the ethical conduct of Judges who preside over them carries profound institutional significance,” she said. “Every interaction, every ruling, and every exercise of discretion shapes public perception of fairness, integrity, and accessibility within the justice system.”

The Chief Justice observed that the contemporary judicial environment has expanded beyond the traditional conception of Judges as mere arbiters of legal disputes. She explained that rapid societal transformation, technological advancement, and heightened public scrutiny have fundamentally reshaped expectations of judicial conduct, with Judicial Officers now operating in an environment of immediate visibility. “In such an environment, ethical standards become the Judiciary’s strongest guarantee of independence, impartiality, and institutional credibility,” she added.

Addressing the personal sphere of judicial conduct, Justice Kekere-Ekun stated that Judges are not expected to attain perfection nor to assume an air of infallibility. “Judicial officers remain human; however, the public nature of judicial office demands a level of restraint, propriety, and self-discipline that ensures personal conduct never diminishes the dignity of the Bench,” she said. “The distinction between private life and judicial office may exist in theory, but public perception often merges the two. Accordingly, integrity must remain indivisible.”

She described the workshop as both timely and necessary, providing an opportunity not only for instruction but for reflection, as ethical dilemmas rarely present themselves in simplistic terms. She encouraged participants to engage openly with challenges, share experiences candidly, and approach discussions with intellectual honesty and professional humility.

The Chief Justice commended the Education Committee of the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute, under the leadership of Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro, CFR, JSC, for conceptualising the workshop, noting that the initiative reflects a clear recognition that ethical competence must be cultivated deliberately and continuously across all levels of the Judiciary. She also acknowledged the invaluable support of Heads of Courts present, whose commitment to continuing judicial education strengthens institutional cohesion and promotes uniform standards of judicial conduct nationwide.

Justice Kekere-Ekun expressed appreciation to the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo, OFR, and members of his management team for the meticulous organisation of the workshop, as well as the facilitators and session managers who accepted to share their knowledge and practical experience in advancing judicial ethics.

She concluded by wishing all participants fruitful deliberations and formally declaring the workshop open. “It is my earnest expectation that this Workshop will deepen ethical consciousness, strengthen professional judgment, and further equip participants to administer justice with fairness, courage, and integrity,” she said. “Thank you, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”