CJN Keker Ekun Urges Judges to Uphold Public Trust

During the 2026 International Bar Association conference held in Abuja, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Keker Ekun, tasked judges with the responsibility of justifying the public's confidence in the judiciary. She stated that sustaining public trust is not merely a constitutional safeguard but requires judges to conduct themselves with integrity, competence, diligence, restraint, and transparency.

Keker Ekun highlighted that the administration of justice demands wisdom, empathy, and moral courage, which are essential qualities for maintaining judicial independence. She also pointed out that lawyers share the responsibility of upholding the rule of law, emphasizing that the defense of justice is a collective duty involving judges, lawyers, academics, policymakers, and civil society.

The conference theme, "Defense of Justice," was noted as significant, inviting discussions on judicial independence and fair adjudication. Keker Ekun expressed the need for modern judges to evolve and adapt to contemporary challenges, thereby enriching the collective understanding of justice across different legal systems.