November 11, (THEWILL) – The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged Judges in the country to be upright and fair, and not be deterred by the challenges facing the Judiciary, particularly the lower courts.
“I urge each of you to remain undaunted by these challenges. Let us find strength in our shared mission and continue to explore ways to innovate within the bounds of the law. Practical improvements in case management, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and other tools at your disposal can help to alleviate some of these burdens, and I encourage you to embrace them”, the CJN advised on Monday, at the conference of All Nigerian Judges of the Lower Courts, organised by the National Judicial Institute Abuja.
Justice Kekere-Ekun reminded the Judges that they are the primary point of contact between the public and the justice system, particularly for citizens at the grassroots level.
“We must view the Lower Courts not merely as judicial institutions but as pillars of justice, equity and community engagement. They are places where citizens expect swift, equitable, and substantial justice. As Judges, you are not only arbiters of disputes but also guardians of the law. Your astuteness, dedication, and fairness inspire confidence in our judicial system, fostering a culture of respect for the rule of law that is essential to our nation’s development”, she said.
Noting that the lower courts are overburdened with caseloads and facing limited resources, poor working conditions, and lack of sufficient incentives, the CJN emphasised that many of the courts are becoming overwhelmed, leading to a significant backlog of cases which not only hamper their efficiency but also erode public confidence in the judicial system.
Earlier in his address, Administrator of the National Judicial Institute Abuja, Justice Salisu Abdullahi, told participants that the lower courts play a pivotal role in the administration of justice; a role which is further amplified by their frequent interface and relations with a large crop of the citizenry, domicile at the grassroots.
“In order to address the ethical dilemmas which Judges of the lower courts may occasionally face in the discharge of their duties; to entrench conformity with judicial ethics/inculcate skills in this regard; and to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the intricacies of substantial and procedural law, this year, the NJI, in partnership with the Judicial College of England and Wales, organised strategic trainings for Magistrates.
“I am pleased to state that this particular partnership and the training have been ongoing for years and from the evaluation of feedback from Participants, the training has positively impacted their performance in their various sections of service. Ultimately, I would like to restate the Institute’s unwavering commitment to building the capacities of Judges of the lower courts in diverse areas of the Law”, Justice Abdullahi said.
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