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•Says compromised judiciary threatens democracy
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has stressed the critical need for integrity in the Nigeria’s judiciary, declaring that justice must never be for sale and that the Bench must never become a sanctuary for compromise.
In his message at the 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja, yesterday, President Tinubu stated that 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.”
He emphasised that the judiciary’s integrity is indispensable to Nigeria’s democracy, insisting that, “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.”
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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.
He urged judges 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, saying, “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 said.
He officially declared the conference open with an invocation: “May your deliberations be fruitful, your resolutions transformative and may the judiciary continue to stand as the conscience of our nation and the guardian of our democracy.
