Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has urged the nation’s judiciary to restore public trust by ensuring that justice is never influenced by money or compromise.
Speaking on Monday at the All Nigeria Judges’ Conference in Abuja, the President warned that the bench must not become “a sanctuary for compromise,” adding that the integrity of the courts is central to Nigeria’s stability and democracy.
Tinubu said Nigerians are increasingly frustrated by delays in court processes and concerned about limited access to justice. He insisted that courts must become “beacons of efficiency” where cases are resolved swiftly and fairly.
“Our courts must no longer be places where cases languish for years,” he said. “A judgment may be grounded in law and delivered with clarity, but unless the public perceives it to be fair and untainted, its authority is diminished.”
The President described confidence in the justice system as “the lifeblood of justice,” stressing that public perception cannot be ignored. According to him, concerns about integrity, delays, and transparency demand urgent reforms.
Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the judiciary, saying the responsibility to preserve its dignity rests not only on the National Judicial Council but on every judicial officer.
“Justice does not exist for the Bench or the Bar; it exists for the people,” he said. “Their faith in the system is the foundation of our national stability.”
The conference, themed “Building a Confident Judiciary,” brings together judges from across the country to discuss reforms aimed at strengthening independence, accountability, and public trust in the justice system.