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From Juliana Taiwo-Obaloye, Abuja
At the 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference held on Monday at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu delivered a compelling address underscoring the critical need for integrity within Nigeria’s judiciary. His central message was clear and resolute: “Justice must never be for sale, and the Bench must never become a sanctuary for compromise.”
Highlighting the core strength of the judiciary, President Tinubu stated, “The true strength of the judiciary lies in the men and women who interpret the law and give life to its spirit. Our judges are the living custodians of justice; the calibre of their work defines the moral strength of the Republic.” He cautioned against threats to this moral foundation, adding, “Corruption in any arm of government weakens the nation, but corruption in the judiciary destroys it at its core.”
The president emphasised that the judiciary’s integrity is indispensable to Nigeria’s democracy, declaring, “When justice is compromised, governance loses its integrity, and democracy loses its foundation.” Acknowledging the damaging effects of corruption, he promised, “My administration stands ready to support every effort by the Judiciary to preserve its dignity and eliminate misconduct.”
Reinforcing the collective responsibility of the judicial system, Tinubu asserted, “This is not a task for the National Judicial Council alone; it is a collective duty that rests on every judicial officer.” He stressed that “discipline within the judiciary must be firm, transparent, and consistent,” calling for urgent reforms to restore public trust.
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Addressing the judges directly, the president urged them to maintain standards uncompromised by external pressures: “Only a judiciary that cleanses itself can command the moral authority to cleanse society.” He challenged the conference participants to “be bold and practical” and to tackle key issues head-on: “How do we reduce the backlog of cases? How do we strengthen discipline within the ranks? How do we make justice more affordable and accessible to the poor, the weak, and the voiceless?”
With a focus on justice as a pillar of democracy, Tinubu reminded the judiciary of their central role, saying, “The judiciary is not an end in itself; it is an instrument of justice for the people. Its moral power flows not merely from the Constitution, but from the trust and confidence that ordinary citizens repose in it.”
Closing his address, the President reinforced the importance of fairness in the judicial system, urging judges to commit themselves to integrity: “Each fair judgment strengthens the Republic; each courageous ruling preserves its soul.”
He officially declared the conference open with a powerful invocation: “May your deliberations be fruitful, your resolutions transformative, and may the Judiciary of Nigeria continue to stand as the conscience of our nation and the guardian of our democracy.”
