Abuja, Nigeria — The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to actively safeguard the reputation and sanctity of the judiciary amidst growing concerns over baseless petitions.
The call was conveyed in a statement issued by Mr. Tobi Soniyi, the CJN’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, following appeals from members of the NBA Bar and Bench Forum for enhanced protection of judicial officers.
Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized that a significant number of petitions alleging corruption against judges are unfounded and aimed at intimidation rather than accountability.
She lamented that judges often undergo psychological distress after being subjected to investigations, only to be exonerated due to lack of credible evidence.
While reaffirming the right of citizens to report genuine misconduct, the CJN advised that complaints should be formally addressed to the National Judicial Council (NJC) and must be supported with verifiable proof.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also expressed disappointment over the NBA’s silence when judges face unfounded public criticism. She urged legal professionals to resist the trend of making uninformed public commentary on judgments without understanding their legal basis.
She further called on senior lawyers to mentor younger colleagues, promoting a culture of responsibility, discipline, and respect for judicial processes within the legal profession.
By Taiwo Olatinwo | April 30, 2025