Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has issued a strong appeal to the Nigerian Bar Association to actively protect the judiciary from what she described as “baseless petitions and unfair media trials” that traumatize judicial officers. Speaking at a meeting with the NBA Bar and Bench Forum, the CJN revealed that most corruption allegations against judges prove unfounded after investigation, yet leave lasting psychological impacts.
Justice Kekere-Ekun expressed dismay at lawyers who publicly criticize judgments without first studying the legal reasoning, stating such behavior erodes public confidence in the justice system. She particularly condemned the growing trend of petitioners weaponizing corruption allegations to intimidate judges, noting the NBA’s silence in many instances enables this practice.
“The judiciary’s integrity is under siege from those who file frivolous petitions as tactical weapons in cases,” the CJN declared through her media aide Tobi Soniyi. “When judges are cleared after stressful investigations, there’s rarely any restitution for their damaged reputations.”
The CJN called for concrete reforms, including:
- Mandatory screening of petitions by the National Judicial Council to filter out unsubstantiated claims
- Heavy financial penalties for petitioners who make false allegations
- Senior lawyers to mentor younger colleagues on ethical litigation practices
NBA Bar and Bench Forum Chairman Dr. Richard Ahonaruogho echoed these concerns, warning that unchecked petitions could paralyze judicial independence. He urged stronger collaboration between the bar and bench to maintain mutual respect while ensuring legitimate complaints receive due attention.
This intervention comes amid heightened scrutiny of Nigeria’s judiciary, with recent high-profile cases attracting both genuine criticism and politically motivated attacks. Legal analysts suggest the CJN’s remarks may prompt the NBA to establish clearer protocols for defending judicial officers against unfounded allegations.
