President Bola Tinubu has warned that the credibility of Nigeria’s justice system depends on its ability to remain free from corruption, declaring that “justice must never be for sale”.
He stated this as he addressed judges at the 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference of the Superior Courts in Abuja on Monday.
Tinubu said the judiciary carries a responsibility that cannot be traded or compromised, noting that the stability of Nigeria’s democracy has often relied on clear and principled decisions from the courts.
“The judiciary has stood firm to restrain tyranny, preserve constitutional order, and amplify the voice of justice above division or despair,” he said.
Addressing the conference theme ‘Building a Confident Judiciary’, the President emphasised that public trust is essential to judicial legitimacy, adding that, “A judgment may be grounded in law, but unless citizens perceive it as fair and impartial, its moral authority is diminished”.
While acknowledging concerns from Nigerians about delays, integrity issues, and access to justice, Tinubu said these perceptions—“whether justified or not”—must prompt introspection and reform, insisting that justice exists for the people, not for the Bench or the Bar.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to providing the judiciary with the tools and environment needed to perform effectively.
“Support for the Judiciary, he stressed, must be tangible, not ceremonial”, he said and outlined plans to improve court infrastructure, working conditions, and technological adoption, including nationwide digitisation of court processes and case management systems.
Tinubu also pledged continued government backing for the NJI, describing it as the engine room for judicial education and professional development. Continuous learning, he said, is essential for judges to keep pace with evolving legal and societal demands.
President Tinubu warned that judicial corruption poses an existential threat to democracy, saying that “Justice must never be for sale. Corruption in any arm of government weakens the nation, but corruption in the Judiciary destroys it at its core.”
He expressed full support for efforts by the judiciary, including the National Judicial Council, to discipline erring officers, stressing that internal cleansing is vital to maintaining the institution’s moral authority.
The President urged judges to use the conference to craft practical solutions to long-standing challenges, including case backlogs, disciplinary mechanisms, and access to justice for vulnerable citizens.
Tinubu lauded judges as central to Nigeria’s democratic destiny, describing them as custodians of the rule of law and protectors of citizens’ rights.
“Each fair judgment strengthens the Republic; each courageous ruling preserves its soul,” he said.
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