The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has commended the Nigerian judiciary for having numerous upright, knowledgeable, hardworking, and courageous judges, though she lamented that a few individuals tarnish this reputation.
The CJN expressed this view on Saturday at a public discourse in Lagos, themed “Ethics, Morality and the Law.” The event was held in honour of Justice Habeeb Abiru, who was recently elevated to the position of a Justice of the Supreme Court.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who chaired the event, advised judges to remember their accountability, stating, “As individuals, each person is answerable to themselves and to God.” She emphasised that public trust in the law depends on its alignment with core principles, including the need for judicial clarity, stability, independence, and the fair use of authority by law enforcement.
The CJN added that it is essential to consider the perspective of the ordinary citizen, who observes and judges the harmony between ethics, morality, and the law in society.
The Chief Justice noted that the foundations of justice today are influenced by Abrahamic faiths prevalent in Nigerian society, with both Islam and Christianity advocating for morality, righteousness, and justice.
She further highlighted the dual role of legal practitioners in navigating the intersection of law, ethics, and morality, describing the lawyer as a “minister in the temple of justice” whose duty is to balance legal standards with societal ethical expectations.
She remarked, “The essence of legal education is to explore the relationship between morality, ethics, and the law, especially when considering the historical distinction between courts of law and equity, which reflects humanity’s quest for balancing justice with fairness.”
The CJN stressed that law must stand independently for societal advancement, as peace, order, and security cannot be achieved through ethics and morality alone.
She congratulated Justice Habib Adewale Abiru on his elevation to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, affirming that it was well-deserved.
The Emir of Kano, His Highness, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, urged Nigerian judges, especially Supreme Court justices, to administer justice with integrity and accountability to God. Although he stated his resolution to avoid controversy, he called on judges to be fair and to avoid allowing personal biases to influence their rulings.
Former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola SAN, emphasised the fundamental role of law in human civilisation, stating, “The first tool that human civilisation invented is law… it has kept us going and separated us from animals.” He acknowledged the importance of ethics and morality as the foundation of humanity, and how legislation often reflects societal development.
Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, highlighted the importance of fairness and integrity in the Nigerian legal system, calling on legal practitioners to commit to ethical values. He stressed that true reform begins with individuals upholding personal integrity, stating, “First, you have to be good… You have to be able to improve our personnel, our sister, our brother, our colleague.” He encouraged legal professionals to recognise their role in fostering a fair legal system.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Wale Babalakin, decried the decline of judicial independence in Nigeria, attributing it to the undue influence of state governors and political figures over judges. He called for urgent reforms to restore the judiciary’s integrity, citing how respected judges in the past maintained independence from executive pressure.
The event brought together Supreme Court Justices, senior advocates, and other legal professionals to discuss the future of Nigeria’s judicial landscape, with calls for renewed focus on ethics and morality within the legal profession.