By Our Correspondent
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delivered a strong message to the Nigerian judiciary, stating that justice must never be influenced, bought, or manipulated. Speaking at the opening of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference, he said that the integrity of the courts is central to the stability and progress of the country.
Tinubu warned that corruption within the judiciary is especially harmful because it destroys public trust in the justice system. He explained that corruption in any arm of government is damaging, but corruption on the bench weakens the entire foundation of justice.
The President noted that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the court system due to delayed cases, inconsistent judgments, and the belief that some decisions may be influenced by outside forces. He said that even when a judgment is legally correct, it loses its value if the public thinks it was not delivered fairly.
Tinubu promised more support to strengthen the judicial system. He said that the government will improve court buildings, expand digital systems for managing cases, and modernize court procedures to make the delivery of justice faster and more reliable. He also said that the National Judicial Institute will receive more support for training and professional development so that judges can better handle modern legal challenges.
The President called for stronger discipline within the judiciary. He said that maintaining high ethical standards should not be left to the National Judicial Council alone. Every judicial officer, he said, must take responsibility for ensuring that the bench remains honest and fair.
Tinubu encouraged judges at the conference to offer direct and practical solutions to problems in the justice system. He urged them to focus on ways to reduce case backlogs, speed up hearings, and make justice more accessible and affordable for the public.
In his closing remarks, he reminded judges that each fair judgment strengthens the country, while each compromised decision weakens it. He urged them to remain courageous, impartial, and committed to the true meaning of justice, stressing that their decisions help shape the direction and stability of the nation.
