By Gabriel Ani
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has voiced concern over the conduct of certain judges whose actions she believes are tarnishing the reputation of the country’s judiciary. Speaking at a public discourse on Ethics, Morality, and The Law, hosted by the Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA) in Lagos on Saturday, Justice Kekere-Ekun warned that judges must uphold integrity, being answerable to both the law and their moral conscience.
“It is unfortunate that a few [judges] are giving us a bad name,” she lamented, adding that the judicial arm relies heavily on the character and uprightness of its members. “By and large, our judges are knowledgeable, upright, courageous, and hardworking,” Justice Kekere-Ekun noted, affirming that despite some controversial rulings, the judiciary remains grounded by judges of integrity.
Justice Kekere-Ekun highlighted the ethical responsibility of legal practitioners to navigate the complex intersection of law, ethics, and morality. “As ministers in the temple of justice, lawyers must advance principles aligned with society’s ethical expectations,” she asserted, urging lawyers to balance legal standards with moral integrity.
Emphasizing the judiciary’s duty to society, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, spoke at the event, calling on judges to avoid favoritism and nepotism in their rulings. He expressed frustration with judgments that, in his words, “fly in the face of common sense” due to excessive reliance on technicalities over substantive justice.
“There will be a day when God will ask: who will be your own advocate on that day?” the Emir questioned, reminding judges of their ultimate accountability. He urged the judiciary to consider substantive justice, especially in cases of significant public interest.
