By Prosper Mene
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has voiced strong concern over the rising trend of indiscriminate and unsubstantiated accusations of corruption leveled against the entire judiciary, describing them as a “troubling pattern” that threatens public confidence and the rule of law.
In her address during the swearing-in of 14 new Federal High Court judges in Abuja on Wednesday, the CJN emphasized that while the judiciary welcomes responsible critique and remains committed to addressing proven misconduct through the National Judicial Council (NJC), broad-brush attacks without specific evidence unfairly tarnish the reputations of honorable judicial officers and weaken the institution as a whole.
“In recent times, there has been a troubling pattern of broad, sweeping attacks against the Judiciary,” Justice Kekere-Ekun stated. “It has become fashionable in some quarters to deploy blanket allegations of corruption against the institution as a whole. Such sweeping generalizations wound deeply.”
She reiterated that judges are human and not immune to error, but stressed the importance of specificity: allegations must be backed by proof, channeled through proper mechanisms, and not used recklessly to delegitimize the courts. The CJN warned that when public trust in the judiciary erodes due to unfounded claims, the foundation of the rule of law itself is put at risk.
The Chief Justice reaffirmed her administration’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and swift disciplinary action against any verified wrongdoing, while calling on critics to adopt a more measured, evidence-driven approach to discussions on judicial integrity.
The ceremony also served as an opportunity to charge the newly appointed judges, Suleiman Amida Hassan, Muhammad Barau Saidu, Igboko Chinelo Conchita, Onuegbu Chioma Angela, Galumje Edingah Ibrahim, Vera Eneabo, Abubakar Musa, Usman Salihu, Aisha Yunusa, and others, to uphold the Constitution faithfully, exercise impartiality, and recognize the profound societal and economic impact of their rulings.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s statements reflect ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s public discourse around the judiciary, where concerns over delays, perceived inefficiencies, and isolated corruption cases persist, even as reforms continue under her leadership.
