Justice must never be for sale, Tinubu tells judges

President Bola Tinubu on Monday cautioned judicial officers across the country that justice must remain sacred and insulated from corruption, declaring that “justice must never be for sale.”

Speaking at the opening of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference of the Superior Courts in Abuja, Tinubu emphasised that judicial officers remain the true custodians of justice and assured continued investment in welfare, training, and the National Judicial Institute.

The President stated that continuous learning and ethical renewal must shape the Bench.

However, Tinubu warned that no reform would succeed without unwavering integrity.

He said, “Justice must never be for sale, and the Bench must never become a sanctuary for compromise.

“Corruption in any arm of government weakens the nation, but corruption in the Judiciary destroys it at its core.”

Tinubu insisted that judicial discipline must be firm and transparent, stressing that safeguarding the courts’ integrity is the responsibility of every judicial officer, not just the National Judicial Council.

Tinubu noted that the growing backlog of cases and the slow pace of justice delivery were unacceptable and harmful to Nigeria’s democratic stability.

He urged the Judiciary to embrace bold, practical reforms that would restore public trust and strengthen the rule of law, warning that the legitimacy of the courts is threatened when justice is delayed or tainted.

“The backlog of cases in our courts must be addressed with urgency. 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,” he said.

Tinubu noted that Nigerians have repeatedly expressed frustration over delayed judgments, questionable conduct, and the difficulty of accessing justice.

He said these concerns require honest reflection and 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.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving judicial capacity, working conditions, and infrastructure nationwide.

He said technology must become central to court operations, with digitisation and integrated case management forming the backbone of future reforms.

“Support must be tangible, not ceremonial. We will prioritise modern infrastructure, digital processes, and efficient case management. A digital, transparent judiciary will deepen accountability and public trust,” he stated.

He urged judges to implement reforms that strengthen discipline, reduce congestion in courts, and make justice more accessible and affordable to citizens.

Declaring the conference open, Tinubu said the evolution of Nigeria’s democracy continues to be shaped by the courage, fairness, and integrity of judicial decisions.

He expressed confidence that the conference resolutions would reinforce the Judiciary as the guardian of the nation’s democratic ideals.

“Each fair judgment strengthens the Republic; each courageous ruling preserves its soul,” he said.