Vice President Kashim Shettima has charged Nigeria’s judiciary to remain steadfast in dispensing justice without succumbing to blackmail or external pressures. Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), stated that Shettima made these remarks while declaring open the maiden Body of Benchers Annual Lecture in Abuja on Wednesday. 

In the statement, Nkwocha quoted the Vice President describing the judiciary as “an essential pillar of Nigeria’s sovereign existence,” noting that Shettima emphasized how “a nation is only as accountable, fair, and orderly as the people who make, enforce, and interpret its laws.” Shettima cautioned against any manipulation of justice to serve narrow interests. 

Nkwocha reported Shettima’s strong words: “Laws are not mere technicalities; they are the scaffolding of civilisation. Without laws, there is no order. Without order, there is no society.” The Vice President warned that each instance of delayed justice or compromised rulings weakens the nation’s foundations. 

Shettima particularly commended the judiciary’s handling of election petitions, with Nkwocha relaying his praise: “We recognize that the mandate entrusted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was affirmed by a judiciary that did not yield to the weight of vested interests.” The Vice President stressed that justice must serve even the most voiceless citizens.

Nkwocha’s statement highlighted Shettima’s call for ethical practice, quoting him urging legal practitioners to “remain true to the ideals of honesty and fairness.” The Vice President described the newly launched Body of Benchers Law Report as evidence of commitment to legal excellence.

The event saw participation from key judicial figures, including Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun who commended the initiative. Former Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) delivered the keynote, emphasizing professional discipline, while Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa praised the judiciary’s role as society’s last hope. 

Nkwocha noted that the gathering concluded with Shettima presenting the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee’s report, marking a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s justice system.