By Kolawole Ojebisi
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned judges to live up to their reputation as upholders of justice and fairness in society.
Keke-Ekun stressed that the common man sees the Court as temple of justice where, using law as a veritable tool, injustice will be redressed and fairness upheld.
The CJN noted that the legal system should not just administer justice but its verdicts must also resonate with the community’s moral convictions.
She expressed disappointment that some judges are giving the judiciary a bad name.
Keke-Ekun made the comments while speaking at a public discourse on ‘Ethics, Morality And The Law’ on Saturday.
She, however, said all hope is not lost adding that despite this challenge, the country’s judiciary is blessed with upright and courageous judges.
She maintained that Nigeria was endowed with very hardworking and knowledgeable judges, warning however, that judges should remember that as individuals, they are accountable to themselves and to God.
The CJN said the perspective of the ordinary citizen, who observed and assessed the extent to which ethics, morality and the law co-existed harmoniously in the society must be taken into consideration.
According to her, the foundations of justice were influenced by the Abrahamic faith prevalent in the society, adding that both Islam and Christianity preach morality uprightness, and righteousness.
She said: “The role of the legal practitioner within this framework, merits a particular attention. The lawyer, often seen as both antagonist and protagonist in the pursuit of justice, must navigate a terrain where law, ethics, and morality intersect.
“This dual role requires balancing the scriptures and the law with ethical constitutions, often containing moral and legal questions that may seem at odds. As a minister in the temple of justice, the lawyer’s commitment to justice involves upholding legal standards, while advancing principles that follow society’s ethical expectations.
“The degree to which this alignment is achieved influences public trust in the judiciary and the law, affirming that our legal system should not only administer justice but also resonate with the community’s moral convictions.
“I will say we take notes of everything that has been said. As the Honourable Attorney General pointed out, and this happens in every sector of our society, it is unfortunate that by and large our judges are knowledgeable, upright, courageous, and hardworking but few ones are giving us a bad name.”
The event was organised by the Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA) to mark its 30th anniversary and the elevation of Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru to the Supreme Court.
The country’s political terrain has been mired in controversial rulings from courts of coordinate jurisdiction. This has consequently sparked controversy at different times.
Recently, political crises in Kano and Rivers have become worsened by conflicting verdicts issued by different courts with each supposedly reflecting the Influences of political actors.
