The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take an active role in defending the dignity and independence of the judiciary.
She made the appeal in a statement issued by Tobi Soniyi, her Media Adviser.
Addressing concerns raised by members of the NBA Bar and Bench Forum over increasing threats to judicial officers, Kekere-Ekun lamented the surge in unfounded allegations of corruption against judges.
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She described many of these petitions as lacking merit and intended solely to harass or exert pressure on judicial officers.
She highlighted the emotional toll such baseless accusations can have, noting that even after being cleared of wrongdoing, judges often remain distressed by the experience.
While encouraging citizens to channel legitimate complaints through the National Judicial Council (NJC), the CJN cautioned against submitting spurious claims without evidence.
She insisted that any corruption accusation must be backed by credible and verifiable proof.
Kekere-Ekun expressed disappointment over the NBA’s silence in the face of these attacks, stressing that the association must do more to defend the judiciary.
She also criticised legal practitioners who publicly condemn judgments without first studying the court’s reasoning.
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Furthermore, she called on senior lawyers to serve as mentors to junior colleagues, helping instil discipline and uphold ethical standards within the profession.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NBA Bar and Bench Forum, Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, also decried the trend of frivolous petitions and suggested that such actions should attract severe penalties.
Ahonaruogho recommended a more robust screening mechanism by the NJC to eliminate time-wasting claims and called for strengthened collaboration between the Bench and the Bar.
