Chief Justice Advises Magistrates to Preserve Judiciary’s Integrity and Independence

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has issued a call to magistrates, urging them to conduct themselves in a manner that safeguards the integrity and upholds the independence of the judiciary. During his address at the opening ceremony of the 2023 induction course for newly appointed magistrates in Abuja, the CJN emphasized the importance of ensuring timely and fair justice delivery without unnecessary delays.

Justice Ariwoola underscored the essence of achieving swift and equitable justice, highlighting the need for a balanced duration of proceedings that avoids undue delays while preserving the integrity of the outcomes. As the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute, the CJN took the opportunity to impart these crucial values.

The induction course, organized in collaboration with the Judicial College of England and Wales, carried the theme “Strengthening access to quality justice delivery in the magistrates’ courts.” This event served as a platform for exchanging knowledge and expertise in order to enhance the justice system’s efficiency.

The Judicial College of England and Wales was represented by Deputy Senior District Judge, Tanweer Ikram, and Circuit Judge and International Coordinator for the Judicial College, Rachel Karp. Karp emphasized the necessity of multidisciplinary judicial training throughout careers to enhance integrity, impartiality, expertise, and accountability.

Justice Salisu Abdullahi, the administrator of NJI, delivered a stern message to the magistrates, cautioning them against any form of corrupt practices. He reminded them of the importance of adhering to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers and the Oath of Office, both of which they had sworn to uphold.