“The Bench Is Bleeding Public Trust — Tinubu Calls for Urgent Rescue”
By Paul Ebi
Abuja — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday delivered a forceful appeal to Nigerian judges, urging them to confront public distrust in the justice system and uphold the moral authority of the judiciary through integrity, speed, and impartiality.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, Tinubu warned that the judiciary’s legitimacy now depends more than ever on public confidence — a confidence he admitted has been strained.
“Confidence is the lifeblood of justice” — Tinubu
The President said that while judgments may be technically sound, their value collapses if citizens perceive them as biased or compromised.
> “A judgment may be grounded in law and delivered with clarity, but unless the public perceives it to be fair, impartial, and untainted, its moral authority is diminished,” he said.
“We must acknowledge, with candour, that public perception of the judicial process has not always been favourable.”
Tinubu highlighted delays, integrity concerns, and limited access to justice as issues eroding trust, insisting they “cannot be ignored.”
Judiciary urged to embrace reform
The President emphasized that true justice resides not in court buildings or digital platforms but in the character and competence of judicial officers.
> “Our judges are the living custodians of justice… judicial welfare, training and independence are not privileges; they are imperatives.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary through infrastructure, digital transformation, and improved efficiency, declaring that Nigerian courts “must no longer be places where cases languish for years.”
Modernisation is essential, not optional
Tinubu pledged robust support for judicial digitalisation, promising secure court facilities, integrated case management systems, and technology-driven processes to eliminate delays and improve transparency.
> “Technology is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity… We should not leave any of our courts behind in this transformation.”
Judiciary praised as Nigeria’s stabilising force
The President commended the Bench for its role during national crises, noting that judicial courage has preserved constitutional order and restrained tyranny.
> “History has recorded that the Judiciary stood firm as the stabilising force of our national life.”
CJN Kekere-Ekun: “The temple of justice trembles where justice is denied”
In her remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, thanked the President for his commitment to judicial strengthening. She called on judges to champion incorruptibility and reflect deeply on their responsibilities.
> “The temple of justice trembles where justice is denied. We must be a symbol of incorruptible honour.
She described the biennial conference as a crucial forum for strengthening ethics, collaboration, and strategies to uphold fairness and accessibility.
Attendance
The conference drew former and serving Chief Justices of Nigeria, Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, heads of courts, and judges from across the federation.
