The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun, on Monday declared open the 2026 National Workshop on Judicial Ethics for Judges of the Lower Courts of Record, stressing that ethical discipline remains the moral architecture upon which public confidence in the administration of justice rests.
Speaking at the Andrews Otutu Obaseki Auditorium, National Judicial Institute, Abuja, Justice Kekere-Ekun said the subject of judicial ethics is neither abstract nor merely academic. “It lies at the very foundation of judicial legitimacy and constitutes the moral architecture upon which public confidence in the administration of justice rests. Without ethical discipline, judicial authority loses its persuasive force; with it, the Judiciary commands respect even in moments of disagreement,” she said.
The workshop, organised by the National Judicial Institute, drew judges from Magistrates’ Courts, Area Courts, Customary Courts, and other Lower Courts. The CJN noted that for the vast majority of Nigerians, justice is experienced at the grassroots. “These courts represent the living face of justice within our communities. They are, in many respects, the primary guardians of public confidence in the legal system,” she stated. She added that since the Lower Courts sit closest to the people, the ethical conduct of judges who preside over them carries profound institutional significance. “Every interaction, every ruling, and every exercise of discretion shapes public perception of fairness, integrity, and accessibility within the justice system. When Judges of the Lower Courts demonstrate professionalism, impartiality, and dignity, they do more than resolve disputes, they reinforce faith in the rule of law itself.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun said the contemporary judicial environment has expanded beyond the traditional conception of judges as mere arbiters of legal disputes. “Rapid societal transformation, technological advancement, and heightened public scrutiny have fundamentally reshaped expectations of judicial conduct. Judicial Officers now operate within an environment of immediate visibility, where courtroom decisions and personal conduct alike are subject to constant public evaluation,” she said.
In such an environment, she stressed, ethical standards become the Judiciary’s strongest guarantee of independence, impartiality, and institutional credibility. “While our constitutional structure recognises the separation of powers, the preservation of judicial integrity cannot be outsourced or delegated. It is a personal and institutional responsibility borne by every Judicial officer. Ethical self-regulation remains the Judiciary’s most enduring safeguard against external pressures and internal erosion.”
The CJN noted that judicial ethics also extends into the personal sphere. “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. 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 said.
She described the workshop as both timely and necessary, providing an opportunity not only for instruction but for reflection. “Ethical dilemmas rarely present themselves in simplistic terms. They arise in complex, practical situations involving discretion, relationships, community expectations, and competing professional obligations. I encourage participants to engage openly with these challenges, to share experiences candidly, and to approach discussions with intellectual honesty and professional humility,” she urged.
Justice Kekere-Ekun highlighted reforms by the National Judicial Institute to modernise continuing judicial education. “The Institute has undertaken a deliberate modernisation of its continuing judicial education framework to reflect contemporary judicial realities and international best practices. These reforms place greater emphasis on interactive and practical learning methods, including case studies, structured problem-solving, and peer engagement, all aimed at enhancing judicial reasoning and professional competence,” she said. Through this competency-driven approach, she added, judicial officers are better equipped in key areas such as evidence evaluation, case management, judgment writing, ethical decision-making, and the effective use of technology in judicial administration.
The CJN 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. “The initiative reflects a clear recognition that ethical competence must be cultivated deliberately and continuously across all levels of the Judiciary,” she said.
She also acknowledged the support of Heads of Courts present, noting that their commitment to continuing judicial education strengthens institutional cohesion and promotes uniform standards of judicial conduct nationwide. She further appreciated the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo, OFR, and his Management Team for the meticulous organisation of the workshop, as well as the facilitators and session managers.
“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,” Justice Kekere-Ekun said. She then formally declared open the 2026 National Workshop on Judicial Ethics for Judges of the Lower Courts, wishing participants fruitful deliberations.
