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Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has stated that the judiciary is ready to support and welcome any recommendations that would enhance the reform agenda of the judiciary for efficient and effective justice administration in the country.
Kekere-Ekun made this statement in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Wednesday, during her remarks at the 37th Anti-Corruption Situation Room, themed “Addressing Corruption in the Judiciary and Providing Effective Strategies for Transparency and Accountability.”
The workshop, designed to understand the challenges facing the judiciary and recommend solutions, was organised by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission.
Represented by Justice Adamu Ajeoro of the Supreme Court, the CJN said that the judiciary was prepared to partner with HEDA to achieve meaningful reforms in the system, adding that the principles of the reform agenda already outlined include the speedy dispensation of justice and a zero tolerance for corruption.
Kekere-Ekun remarked, “The judiciary is ready to partner with HEDA towards achieving meaningful reforms for the betterment of our society; hence, any recommendation or support for the judiciary’s effective and efficient performance in the administration of justice, which will aid the reform agenda, will be highly welcomed.”
“It’s noteworthy to mention that some of the principles of the reform agenda outlined by the CJN include the speedy dispensation of justice and a zero tolerance for corruption.”
In his remarks, the chairman of the HEDA Resource Centre, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, expressed concern that the judiciary, which is the hope of the common man, has been mired in corrupt practices.
He lamented that out of the sum of ₦721 billion paid to public officers in the National Bureau of Statistics’ 2024 corruption survey report, a significant portion of this amount was paid to judicial officers.
According to him, “The National Bureau of Statistics’ 2024 Corruption Survey report was released in July 2024 and made significant and alarming revelations about the level of corruption experienced in interactions with the judiciary.
“The report revealed that roughly $1.23 billion, equivalent to ₦721 billion, was paid as bribes to public officials in 2023. It is heartbreaking to note that a large portion of this amount was allegedly paid to officers in the judiciary.
“This is concerning, considering the critical role of the judiciary in stabilising the country and its inherent power to protect Nigerians from the excesses of power abuse, especially for the common man.”
Also, in her welcome remarks, the country representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Danilo Campisi, who was represented by Princess Chiferio, while appreciating HEDA for initiating such a laudable programme, urged resource persons to come up with recommendations that reflect citizens’ experiences and perceptions.
“As we put our heads together to develop strategies, let us remember that the progress of any government is often reflected in its citizens’ experiences and perceptions. It is therefore important that such strategies and recommended approaches enhance the lives of the citizens,” she noted.
The chairman of the occasion, Prof Shehu Abdullahi, commended HEDA, the UNODC, and the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission for their efforts in the fight against corrupt practices in the judiciary.
