President Bola Tinubu on Monday urged judicial officers across Nigeria to uphold the sanctity of justice and resist all forms of corruption.
He declared that “justice must never be for sale.”
Tinubu, who spoke at the opening of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference of the Superior Courts in Abuja, stressed that judges are the true custodians of justice and pledged continued government support for their welfare, training, and the development of the National Judicial Institute.
He said the judiciary must be guided by continuous learning and ethical renewal, but warned that no reform would succeed without uncompromising integrity.
“Justice must never be for sale, and the Bench must never become a sanctuary for compromise,” Tinubu said. “Corruption in any arm of government weakens the nation, but corruption in the Judiciary destroys it at its core.”
The President called for firm and transparent judicial discipline, noting that the responsibility to protect the integrity of the courts lies with every judicial officer—not just the National Judicial Council.
He expressed concern over the growing backlog of cases and the slow pace of justice delivery in the country.
“Our courts must no longer be places where cases languish for years. Justice exists for the people, and their faith in the judicial process is the foundation of our national stability,” the President stated.
Tinubu acknowledged widespread public frustration over delayed rulings, questionable conduct, and limited access to justice and charged the judiciary to reflect on the issues and take decisive action.
“These perceptions, whether wholly justified or not, cannot be ignored. They call upon us to reflect, to reform, and to restore,” he added.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to judicial reform, Tinubu said the government would invest in modern infrastructure, digital transformation, and efficient case management systems.
