CJN Swears-in 14 Federal High Court Judges Urges Integrity

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Wednesday swore in 14 new judges of the Federal High Court, charging them to uphold the Constitution with courage, integrity, and unwavering independence.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Abuja, the CJN reminded the newly appointed judges that by taking the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath prescribed by the Constitution, they had assumed “a sacred constitutional trust.

“From this moment, you cease to belong wholly to yourselves; you belong, in a profound sense, to the law, to your conscience, and to the Nigerian people,” she stated and described appointment to the Bench not as a mere elevation of status but as the acceptance of a weighty burden defined by impartiality, restraint, discipline, and fidelity to the Constitution.

Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasised the pivotal role of the Federal High Court in Nigeria’s judicial framework, noting that the court exercises jurisdiction over matters that directly shapes the nation’s economic and regulatory landscape, including revenue, banking, maritime affairs, intellectual property, and complex commercial disputes.

She cautioned that the decisions of the new judges would have far-reaching implications beyond the courtroom, influencing markets, public institutions, and governance stability.

While noting that, the country expects efficiency, coherence, and integrity, she said, justice delayed through indolence or poor case management amounts to justice denied.

Justice Kekere-Ekun revealed that the appointments followed one of the most rigorous and technology-enhanced selection processes in the country’s judicial history, explaining that, the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) strengthened evaluation mechanisms to ensure merit, integrity, competence, and judicial temperament remained the governing criteria.

In a significant reform measure, she noted that shortlisted candidates’ names were published and members of the public were invited to submit written comments regarding their integrity and professional reputation.

“This measure reflects a conscious institutional commitment to transparency and accountability,” she stated, adding that public confidence in the judiciary begins with confidence in how judges are appointed.

The CJN also expressed concern over what she described as a troubling pattern of sweeping and indiscriminate allegations of corruption against the judiciary.

While acknowledging that constructive criticism is legitimate in a constitutional democracy, she warned that blanket denunciations without evidence erode public trust and unjustly tarnish the reputations of judicial officers.

“The Judiciary does not claim infallibility. Where misconduct is established, it will be addressed firmly and transparently,” she said, assuring that the NJC remains vigilant in disciplining erring officers.

She urged the newly sworn-in judges to maintain discipline, punctuality, and principled courage in their judicial duties, even as she warned them to resist social, political, financial, or relational pressures that could compromise their independence.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji