The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun, has warned newly appointed judges in the lower courts to be cautious of unsolicited gifts, saying such gestures could expose them to trouble and even trigger petitions against them.
She gave the warning at the opening of an induction course organised for new judges, where she also urged them to approach their duties with discipline, fairness and a strong sense of responsibility.
The CJN stressed that judges must prioritise the speedy and impartial handling of cases, noting that public confidence in the judiciary depends heavily on how promptly and fairly matters are resolved in court.
Represented at the event by the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, Kekere Ekun reminded the judges that their conduct on and off the bench matters greatly, especially at a time when the integrity of the justice system remains under public scrutiny.
She advised them to build healthy working relationships with court officials under their supervision, particularly registrars and exhibit keepers, saying effective collaboration within the court system is essential to the smooth administration of justice.
The CJN also urged the judges to familiarise themselves thoroughly with court rules and procedures so they would not be misled or outmanoeuvred by lawyers appearing before them. According to her, judges must make it a duty to read every document placed before them and maintain full command of proceedings in their courts.
She specifically cautioned against accepting unsolicited gifts and warned them to avoid unnecessary social events, including elaborate birthday celebrations, which could create openings for questionable gestures from litigants and other interested persons.
Kekere Ekun further advised the judges to remain respectful in their dealings with heads of court and to exercise restraint in the use of contempt powers. She said the power of contempt should be applied sparingly and with caution, warning that excessive use of it could have unintended consequences.
In his welcome address, Justice Adejumo congratulated the new judges on their appointments and reminded them of the significance of the office they now occupy within Nigeria’s justice system.
He said their elevation to the bench places on them the serious responsibility of defending constitutional supremacy, strengthening the rule of law and helping shape the course of justice in the country.
According to him, lower courts remain central to the functioning of the judicial system because they handle the majority of cases involving ordinary Nigerians and also help reduce the burden on superior courts by filtering matters through the legal process.
He noted that because of this critical role, the quality, competence and preparedness of judicial officers appointed to the lower courts are of great importance to the administration of justice.
Adejumo said the induction course was designed to ease the judges into their new responsibilities by equipping them with the practical and ethical foundation required on the bench.
He explained that the programme would focus on the values of judicial ethics, proper conduct and awareness of the social context in which judges operate, while also exposing participants to courtroom dynamics and the practical application of both substantive and procedural law.
