The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Hon Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, has cautioned court registrars and judicial administrators against selective treatment of lawyers and litigants, warning that such practices undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
The CJN stressed that Nigeria’s courts cannot command trust unless ethical standards extend beyond the Bench to the administrative machinery that drives judicial processes. She warned that lapses at the registry level can erode confidence in even the most sound judicial decisions.
Delivering a keynote address through Justice Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa, a justice of supreme court at the opening of the National Workshop on Ethics for Judicial Administrators in Abuja, the CJN described judicial administration as the operational foundation upon which the legitimacy of the courts rests.
The workshop, organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI), drew senior court administrators from across the federation and was described as a timely intervention to reinforce institutional integrity within the justice system.
According to her, justice delivery is a collective institutional process. While judges interpret and apply the law, she noted, judicial administrators ensure that cases are scheduled, records properly managed, and court users efficiently served.
She warned that administrative failures often lead to misplaced public criticism of judges. “Judicial officers are often unfairly perceived as inefficient or biased,” she said, noting that behind-the-scenes lapses frequently shape public distrust more than courtroom proceedings.
Emphasising the centrality of the registry, the CJN described it as the public face of the judiciary, where most citizens form their impressions of the justice system.
She noted that delays, lack of transparency, or discourtesy at that level can create the perception that the entire system is compromised.
In a strong warning, she stated that registries must never become channels for preferential treatment or procedural manipulation.
Judicial administrators, she said, must remain neutral and insulated from external pressures, personal interests, or informal influence.
She also underscored the duty of confidentiality, given the sensitive nature of court records and personal data handled by administrative staff.
On the evolving nature of court operations, the CJN highlighted the growing use of digital systems, including e-filing and virtual proceedings.
While acknowledging the gains in efficiency and access, she cautioned that technology introduces new ethical challenges around data protection, cybersecurity, and transparency.
“Technology must strengthen institutional integrity, not expose the justice system to vulnerabilities,” she said.
She further linked ethical administration to judicial independence, stressing that prudent financial management and transparent accounting are critical to sustaining public trust.
Calling for professionalism in everyday interactions, the CJN said courtesy, fairness, and patience in dealing with litigants and lawyers are not optional but core ethical obligations.
She also urged judicial administrators to demonstrate “moral courage” by resisting improper directives and upholding due process at all times.
The CJN expressed optimism that the deliberations would yield actionable outcomes and urged participants to cascade lessons learned across their respective courts.
“Strengthening ethics in judicial administration ultimately strengthens access to justice,” she said, adding that an ethically grounded judiciary reinforces the rule of law and public confidence.
She formally declared the workshop open, reiterating that the credibility of Nigeria’s judiciary depends not only on the integrity of judges but also on the ethical discipline of those who manage its processes.
Earlier, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, described participants as the institutional backbone of the courts, noting that their roles extend beyond routine duties to safeguarding the credibility and continuity of the justice system.
He added that ethical challenges in judicial administration now intersect with broader governance issues, including accountability, personnel management, and financial oversight.
The workshop is expected to address practical concerns such as records management, staff discipline, professional boundaries, and service delivery standards.
The Chief Registrar of the Ebonyi State High Court, Mrs. Nnenna Onuoha; Murtala Halidu of the Kaduna State Judicial Service Commission; and Tajudeen Karanga, Chief Registrar of the Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, were among the facilitators at the five-day workshop.
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