The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), have declared that individuals making baseless allegations against judges will face appropriate sanctions.
Speaking at the 2024 Justices of the Court of Appeal annual conference in Abuja, themed “Judicial Introspection,” Justice Kekere-Ekun noted the National Judicial Council (NJC) is developing measures to ensure consequences for frivolous complaints while continuing to address legitimate grievances.
“We must work collectively to change the negative perception of the Judiciary. While genuine complaints against judges will be addressed, frivolous allegations will not go unpunished,” she said.
The CJN also expressed concern about conflicting judgments at the appellate level and urged justices to adopt collective deliberation processes. “Holding conferences to discuss reserved judgments is essential for consistency,” she added.
Justice Kekere-Ekun further emphasized the need to tackle challenges such as case backlogs, funding constraints, and public concerns about judicial inefficiency. She advocated leveraging technology and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to improve access to justice.
AGF Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) echoed the CJN’s sentiments, pledging his support for the Judiciary’s independence. He warned detractors against disparaging judicial officers, stating, “Those who malign the Judiciary will be brought to justice, or justice will be taken to them.”
Fagbemi also highlighted the pressures faced by the Judiciary, including political interference, public opinion, and the challenges of the digital age, urging resilience in preserving judicial independence.
Other speakers at the event included Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, who called for regular self-reflection among judicial officers, and former AGF Kanu Agabi (SAN), who urged society to support judges rather than vilify them unjustly.
Agabi argued, “Corruption in the nation cannot be blamed on judges alone. The Judiciary operates in a precarious environment, yet undue criticism persists. It is essential to protect judges from unwarranted public condemnation while addressing the faults of a few.”
The conference underscored the importance of ethics, accountability, and innovation in ensuring judicial efficiency and maintaining public trust.
