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Few Judges Tarnishing Judiciary’s Image – CJN

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2 weeks ago

Nov 10, 2024.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, acknowledged that while the judiciary boasts many honest and courageous judges, a few individuals tarnish its reputation.

She made these remarks on Saturday at the public discourse titled “Ethics, Morality, and the Law,” organized by the Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness to celebrate Justice Habeeb Abiru’s promotion to the Supreme Court. The event, held in Lagos, centered on the intersections of ethics, morality, and law in Nigeria’s judicial system.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized that the public’s perspective on the harmony between ethics, morality, and the law is essential.

She noted that respect for the law depends on its adherence to core principles, the clarity and stability of legal frameworks, judicial independence, and the fair application of authority by law enforcement.

She highlighted the unique role of legal practitioners, who must balance legal and ethical standards, sometimes navigating moral and legal conflicts.

The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, also spoke at the event, urging Supreme Court justices to administer justice with integrity and God-consciousness. He reminded judges of their accountability to God and warned against allowing personal biases to influence their rulings, advocating instead for a focus on substantive justice rather than technicalities.

“Do not advocate for wrongdoers or those who deceive themselves,” Sanusi cautioned, adding that Allah does not favor sinful wrongdoers.

Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, stressed the importance of fairness and integrity within Nigeria’s legal system, urging legal professionals to renew their commitment to ethical standards.

He emphasized that the discussion centered on the principle of fairness, noting, “When we talk about fairness, we must acknowledge that we have wronged the laws.”

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Contributing a Christian perspective, Very Reverend Professor Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN, criticized what he described as “lawlessness within the law” and encouraged the legal community to reflect on ethics and morality in their practices.

Ajayi questioned whether the rule of law truly guides current judicial actions, as he argued that recent court decisions often confuse rather than clarify public understanding.

Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN, added that law is humanity’s greatest invention, noting that it distinguishes humans from animals.

The event highlighted the ongoing dialogue around integrity and accountability in Nigeria’s legal system, underscoring the need for ethical grounding in judicial practices.