CJN and Jurists Issue Stern Warning to Court Registrars Over Preferential Treatment
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has issued a strong caution to court registrars and judicial administrators against engaging in selective or preferential treatment of lawyers and litigants. She emphasized that such practices severely undermine public confidence in the judiciary, warning that Nigeria's courts cannot command trust unless ethical standards are upheld not only by judges but also by the administrative machinery that drives judicial processes.
Erosion of Trust in Judicial Decisions
Justice Kekere-Ekun highlighted that lapses at the registry level can erode confidence in even the soundest judicial decisions, pointing out that administrative failures often lead to misplaced public criticism of judges. She stressed that justice delivery is a collective institutional process, where judges interpret and apply the law, while judicial administrators ensure cases are scheduled, records are properly managed, and court users are efficiently served.
Keynote Address at National Workshop on Ethics
Delivering a keynote address through Justice Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa, a justice of the 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 court rests. The workshop, organized 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.
Registry as the Public Face of the Judiciary
Emphasizing 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 this makes it crucial for registrars to maintain high ethical standards to foster trust and credibility.
Evolution of Court Operations and Digital Systems
On the evolving nature of court operations, the CJN highlighted the growing use of digital systems, including e-filing and virtual proceedings, underscoring the need for administrators to adapt while upholding ethical practices in these new environments.
Institutional Backbone and Ethical Challenges
Earlier, the Administrator of the NJI, 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.
