CJN Warns Judges: Don’t Succumb to External Pressure

CJN Warns Judges, Don’t Succumb to External Pressure in Your Judgement

Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday, warned judges in the country not to allow external pressure to influence their judgement on cases that are brought before them.

The CJN, who gave the admonition while declaring the 2024 Annual Conference of Justices of the Court of Appeal open in Abuja, said there was need for the judiciary, as an institution, to embark on collective introspection.

She said the only way the judiciary would continue to retain the confidence of citizens was through the quality of judgements emanating from the courts.

According to her, verdicts of the appellate court must not only be rooted in firm principles of the law, they must reflect the unbiased input of every member of a panel that heard and reserved an appeal for judgement.

Describing the collective dedication of judicial officers as the cornerstone of the country’s legal system, the CJN stressed that the end of the year was universally recognized as a season for reflection and renewal.

She said, “It is at this time that institutions pause to evaluate past actions, learn from experiences, and plan for future endeavours.

“It is in this context that I found the theme of this year’s conference, ‘Judicial Introspection,’ particularly compelling.

“It behoves on all of us to introspect, not only as judicial officers but also as a unified judiciary navigating the complexities of modern justice delivery.

“Introspection is also defined as an inward examination of ourselves, emotions, and actions.

“Introspection invites us to observe the workings of our minds and evaluate their influence on our decisions,” the CJN stated, adding that judges must allow themselves to be guided by “bedrock principles of judicial impartiality and integrity, which underscore the imperative of maintaining an open and unbiased mind until all sides are fully heard and remaining steadfast in the pursuit of justice, free of external opinions and pressures.”

Continuing, the CJN said: “Introspection is not a passive exercise but an active and unalloyed commitment to upholding the highest standards of fairness and integrity, qualities that remain central to the effectiveness of our legal system.

“A self-awareness is not just a personal virtue; it is a professional necessity for those interested in the administration of justice, and as I do say, we need to be the change that we wish to see in the world around us.

“For judicial officers, introspection serves as a critical tool for enhancing performance, refining judgments, and bolstering public confidence in the judiciary.

“It demands not only self-evaluation but also outspokenness to change and in our ways, particularly in response to evolving expectations of society.

“While introspection is also individual, the judiciary must also engage in collective introspection. This is vital because the judiciary is always perceived as a single entity.

“Public confidence in our system relies not only on our individual integrity but on the collective strength of our institution.

“This conference represents an opportunity for collective introspection. Through discussions, shared experiences, and learning, we can identify areas for improvement and strategize on how to overcome challenges that affect justice delivery,” the CJN added.

While emphasizing constant training for judges handling cases involving cybercrime and digital evidence, Justice Kekere-Ekun urged the appellate court to ensure that its justices participate in pre-judgement conferences to enable their verdicts to be comprehensive and well reasoned.

“At this level where appeals are heard and reserved for judgement, the holding of conferences to collectively deliberate on issues and matters that come before the court cannot be overstated.

“Conferencing is an essential tool that can boost mutual respect, deepen understanding, and enhance the quality of our decisions.”

She disclosed that the National Judicial Council, NJC, had, at a meeting it held recently, resolved that it would henceforth impose sanctions on those that write frivolous petitions against judges.

Meanwhile, in her remarks, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, said the conference was structured in line with the needs of the appellate court.

She decried that the emergence of social media generated a range of challenges for the judiciary, “including the management of online reputation, cyberbullying, and harassment.”

“The preservation of the integrity of digital evidence in the context of legal proceedings is now a thing of concern.

“To effectively navigate these complexities, it is only appropriate for the judiciary to engage in a process of regular intellectual upliftment.

“A regular examination of existing practices, procedures, and policies to ensure their efficacy, efficiency, and fairness in the digital age is imperative.

“The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within the judiciary has the potential to revolutionize the administration of justice, enhancing efficiency, improving decision-making, and expanding access to justice.

“However, the deployment of AI in judicial contexts also raises profound questions regarding bias, transparency, and accountability.

“To address these issues, the judiciary must carefully examine its own utilization of AI and ensure that adoption is as an adjudicatory tool and not a replacement of the judge.

“As we aspire to enhance the administration of justice, we recognize the importance of collaboration and synergy among stakeholders.” Justice Dongban-Mensem.

Among dignitaries at the conference that had a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, as its keynote speaker, included former CJNs, the Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike.

Others were the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, Director General of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, as well as the Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary.