By Micah Jonah, February 19, 2026
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has cautioned against what she described as sweeping and indiscriminate attacks on the judiciary, warning that unsubstantiated allegations of corruption against judges could erode public trust, undermine the rule of law.
The CJN spoke on Wednesday at the swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed judges of the Federal High Court held at the Supreme Court Complex, Abuja.
Justice Kekere-Ekun stressed that while constructive criticism is legitimate in a constitutional democracy, blanket denunciations of the judiciary are neither fair nor responsible.
“It has become fashionable in some quarters to deploy blanket allegations of corruption against the institution as a whole,” she said. “While constructive criticism is legitimate in a constitutional democracy, indiscriminate denunciation is neither fair nor responsible.”
She warned that allegations of corruption must be specific and supported by evidence, noting that reckless rhetoric does not only damage individual reputations but weakens the justice system as a whole.
“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,” the CJN stated.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, however, maintained that the judiciary does not claim infallibility, assuring that any proven misconduct would be addressed firmly and transparently through the appropriate mechanisms. She reiterated that the National Judicial Council would not hesitate to discipline any judicial officer found wanting.
The National Judicial Council had earlier recommended 14 candidates to President Bola Tinubu for appointment as judges of the Federal High Court following its 110th meeting held on January 13 and 14, 2026. Although the recommendation was initially delayed pending security clearance, the names were subsequently forwarded after clearance reports returned with no adverse findings.
Addressing the newly sworn-in judges, the CJN described their emergence as the product of one of the most rigorous and transparent judicial appointment processes in recent history. She disclosed that shortlisted candidates’ names were published and members of the public were invited to submit comments on their integrity, professional reputation, and suitability for judicial office.
She urged the judges to demonstrate discipline, courage, and mastery of their case files, charging them to resist every form of pressure, whether social, political, financial, or relational.
Justice Kekere-Ekun further noted that the Federal High Court is increasingly confronted with complex cases in revenue, banking, maritime, and intellectual property matters, urging the judges to discharge their duties with integrity and unwavering commitment to justice.
She warned that judicial independence must be protected from careless assaults, stressing that once public confidence in the courts collapses, the rule of law itself is endangered.
