The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere‑Ekun, has cautioned against the abuse of judicial processes in debt recovery matters, stressing that such practices erode confidence in the nation’s financial system.
Declaring open the 2025 Capacity Building Workshop on Banking and Financial Services Sector in Abuja—jointly organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI)—the CJN underscored that efficient loan recovery is central to financial stability. She noted that undue delays in enforcing credit obligations weaken financial institutions, distort balance sheets, and constrain liquidity.
Justice Kekere‑Ekun urged judicial officers to ensure that contractual obligations are honoured, disclosure requirements enforced, and the principle of good faith upheld. She warned: “We must be vigilant against abuse of court processes that frustrate legitimate debt recovery and undermine confidence in the financial system.”
According to her, the judiciary’s role in safeguarding debt enforcement not only protects individual citizens but also reinforces the integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s financial architecture. She further emphasized that a well‑functioning financial sector depends not only on sound regulation but also on a judiciary that commands public trust through competence, impartiality, and courage to do justice without fear or favour.
The CJN called on judges to continuously update their knowledge in specialised and technical areas such as banking, finance, and digital innovation, observing that: “The law cannot stand still while commerce and technology advance. Workshops such as this are invaluable in equipping the Bench with the knowledge, tools, and insights required to navigate these complexities.”
In his welcome address, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Babatunde Adejumo (rtd), described the workshop as a demonstration of the judiciary’s commitment to remaining independent, informed, and responsive to the realities of the modern financial landscape. He noted that the theme—“Judicial Oversight and Financial Regulation: Building Trust and Stability in Nigeria’s Banking Sector”—aptly captures the intersection between effective regulation and judicial review.
Justice Adejumo stressed that the health of Nigeria’s financial system depends not only on sound monetary policies but equally on the integrity, wisdom, and credibility of the judiciary. He highlighted the judiciary’s stabilising role in ensuring that regulatory measures are anchored on fairness, legality, and justice, thereby maintaining the balance between economic policy and the protection of rights.
Also speaking, Omotan Ogunmodede, Executive Director of Legal Delight Consulting, explained that the workshop provides judges with an opportunity to deepen their expertise, engage directly with the CBN, and offer valuable guidance on regulatory and financial sector issues.
