The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has condemned what she described as “broad, sweeping attacks” on the judiciary, warning that indiscriminate corruption allegations could undermine public trust and the rule of law.
She made the remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed Federal High Court judges at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja.
The National Judicial Council had recommended 14 candidates to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment following its 110th meeting on January 13 and 14, 2026. Security clearances delayed the recommendation, which was forwarded on January 22 after no adverse findings were reported.
Kekere-Ekun said while constructive criticism is legitimate in a democracy, blanket denunciations of the judiciary were neither fair nor responsible.
“It has become fashionable in some quarters to deploy blanket allegations of corruption against the institution as a whole. While constructive criticism is legitimate in a constitutional democracy, indiscriminate denunciation is neither fair nor responsible. Such sweeping generalisations wound deeply,” she said.
She stressed that vague corruption allegations not only damage individual reputations but also weaken the judiciary as an institution.
“When corruption is alleged without specificity, without evidence, and without recourse to established complaint mechanisms, the damage is collective. It erodes public trust, weakens institutional authority, and unjustly stains reputations built over decades of sacrifice,” Kekere-Ekun said.
The CJN added that judges who have served with integrity should not be unfairly targeted by reckless rhetoric.
However, she acknowledged the judiciary is not infallible, stating that established misconduct would be addressed firmly and transparently. The National Judicial Council remains vigilant and ready to discipline judicial officers found wanting.
She emphasized that judicial independence must be safeguarded from “careless assault,” noting that collapse of confidence in the courts threatens the rule of law itself.
Addressing the new judges, Kekere-Ekun said their appointment followed one of the most rigorous and transparent selection processes in judicial history. The NJC and Federal Judicial Service Commission strengthened evaluation mechanisms to prioritise merit, integrity, competence, and temperament.
For the first time, shortlisted candidates’ names were published, and the public was invited to comment on their integrity, professional reputation, and suitability for office.
“This reflects a conscious institutional commitment to transparency and accountability. Public confidence in the courts begins with confidence in the process by which judges emerge,” she said.
She urged the judges to uphold discipline and principled courage, handle every case with mastery of their files, and resist pressures social, political, financial, or relational while noting the Federal High Court faces complex cases in revenue, banking, maritime, and intellectual property matters.