CJN Kekere-Ekun Advocates Mentorship for Judges in Jamaica

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, addressed senior judges at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Annual Conference in Kingston, Jamaica, urging them to mentor junior judicial officers to ensure a seamless transfer of knowledge. She emphasized that senior judges have a legitimate role in mentoring, supervising, and correcting their junior colleagues, as they possess institutional knowledge that cannot be learned from books.

Justice Kekere-Ekun stated that mentorship should enhance a junior judge's confidence, allowing them to ask questions and express independent views without fear of repercussions. She highlighted the importance of accountability among judges, stressing that judicial independence does not equate to freedom from accountability.

The CJN warned that while respect for seniority is crucial, it should not undermine independent judgment, as the quality of judicial reasoning relies on the ability to consider different perspectives and engage in reasoned disagreement.