The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has said that while the judiciary has many upright and courageous judges, a few of them are giving it a bad name.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who spoke on Saturday at a public discourse titled Ethics, Morality, and the Law, organised by the Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness in honour of Justice Habeeb Abiru’s elevation to the Supreme, praised Nigeria’s judiciary for its dedication.
The event took place in Lagos on Saturday.
She stressed that ordinary citizen’s viewpoint on how well ethics, morality, and the law coexist must be considered.
Justice Kekere-Ekun added that public acceptance of the law also hinged on its alignment with fundamental principles, the need for clarity, stability and independence of the judiciary, as well as the fair exercise of authority by law enforcement.
She said, “The role of the legal practitioner within this framework, merits particular attention.
“The lawyer, often seen as both antagonist and protagonist in the pursuit of justice, must navigate a terrain where law, ethics and morality intersect.
In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, asked Nigerian judges, especially justices of the Supreme Court to administer justice with the fear of God, and remember that they are accountable to God.
Sanusi urged the judges to be upright and should not allow hatred for people to make them do what is not right.
He said judges should focus more on substantive justice, and not rely on technicalities
“Do not be an advocate for wrongdoers and do not be an advocate for those who deceive themselves, because Allah does not love sinful wrongdoers”, said Sanusi.
Punch