At the opening of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu urged the judiciary to resist compromise and lead the fight against corruption, warning that judicial misconduct strikes at the heart of democracy.
Addressing senior jurists at the event, the president insisted that courts must remain beyond reproach. He argued that corruption anywhere in government weakens the nation, but corruption in the judiciary corrodes its foundation and only a self-cleansing Bench can reclaim the moral credibility needed to restore confidence in public institutions.
Tinubu pledged continued support for judges’ welfare and professional development, including backing for the National Judicial Institute, while also calling for bold structural reforms.
He highlighted priorities such as speeding up case resolution, improving access to justice for ordinary citizens, and strengthening disciplinary systems to ensure accountability and transparency within the courts.
Pointing to public frustration over delays and perceived misconduct, the president said these concerns require candid reflection and decisive action. He stressed that long case backlogs are unacceptable and that the judiciary must stop being a place where matters stagnate for years. “Justice exists for the people,” he observed, noting that timely, fair rulings are essential to national ility.
Emphasising technology as a core reform tool, Tinubu urged wider adoption of digitised case management and transparent processes to boost efficiency and public trust. He said no court should be left behind in the shift to a more open and accountable judicial system.
Tinubu closed by underscoring the historic role of the judiciary in safeguarding the constitutional order, observing that judges have often been the ilising force in times of national stress.
He expressed hope that the resolutions emerging from the conference, themed “Building a Confident Judiciary” would strengthen the courts’ integrity and reinforce their role as guardians of Nigeria’s democratic ideals.
I think President Tinubus warning to judges is necessary to maintain public trust in the judiciary. Integrity is key!
Who is Tinubu to lecture judges on integrity? He should focus on his own political controversies first. #hypocrisy #publictrust
Wow, do you think judges should be threatened into guarding their integrity? Or is it a necessary wake-up call? Lets discuss!
Do judges really need a warning from a politician about integrity? Shouldnt their commitment to justice be inherent? Just a thought 🤔
I disagree with President Tinubus warning to judges. Its unfair to put the burden solely on them for public trust.
I think President Tinubu has a point about judges needing to maintain integrity. Trust is crucial in the legal system.