President Bola Tinubu on Monday called on Nigeria’s judiciary to defend its honour and root out all forms of misconduct, warning that corruption within the justice system poses an existential threat to the nation’s democracy.
Speaking at the 2025 Conference of All Nigerian Judges of Superior Courts of Record, the President said no reform would succeed unless integrity remained the judiciary’s guiding principle, insisting that "justice must never be for sale."
He cautioned that while corruption in any arm of government is damaging, corruption in the judiciary "destroys the nation to the core," eroding trust, weakening governance, and undermining democratic foundations.
"The bench must never be called a sanctuary for compromise. When justice is compromised, governance loses its integrity and democracy loses its foundation," he said.
The President stressed that although the executive, legislature, and judiciary operate independently, they must remain united by purpose and bound by a shared responsibility to Nigerians.
"The judiciary does not exist in isolation. All three arms of government must work in synergy, with mutual respect," he said.
Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening the justice system, describing a judiciary that is efficient, capable, and uncompromising in integrity as "indispensable" to Nigeria’s stability and prosperity.
He pledged tangible, not ceremonial, support to improve judicial performance, and urged courts to prioritise quicker case resolution to restore public confidence.
"Our courts must no longer be a place where cases languish for years," he added.
A central priority, he said, was the modernisation of judicial infrastructure, with technology positioned as a vital tool for transparency and accountability.
He announced sustained investment in digital processes, integrated case management, and secure facilities, warning that no court should be left behind.
Tinubu also announced the need for improved welfare and continuous training for judges, describing them as "living custodians of justice," he said.
"Judicial welfare, training, and independence are not privileges, they are imperatives," adding that judges must be equipped to interpret and shape the law in line with evolving constitutional values.
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