The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has reminded judicial officers that public confidence in the courts rests not only on the correctness of their judgments but also on their personal integrity and ethical conduct.

Delivering a keynote address on Monday at the opening of the 2026 National Workshop on Judicial Ethics for Judges of the Superior Courts of Record, organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI), the CJN described the forum as a strategic effort to strengthen accountability and reinforce ethical standards within the judiciary.

She noted that the workshop comes at a time of heightened public scrutiny of the judicial system, stressing that ethical discipline remains fundamental to sustaining judicial authority and the rule of law.

“The legitimacy of judicial authority depends not only on the correctness of decisions but also on the confidence reposed in the courts by the public,” she said, adding that such confidence is largely built on the ethical conduct of judicial officers.

Justice Kekere-Ekun outlined core principles guiding judicial behaviour, including independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality, competence, and diligence. She emphasised that these values must consistently shape the conduct of judges both on and off the bench.

She further cautioned that the rise of digital communication and social media has intensified public scrutiny of judicial officers, requiring greater restraint, sound judgment, and a clear understanding of ethical boundaries.

While noting that the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers provides a framework for ethical behaviour, the CJN said its application often requires careful discretion, particularly in matters involving conflicts of interest, recusal, and interactions with counsel and litigants.

She also highlighted the ethical implications of courtroom management, stating that fairness, firmness, and courtesy in proceedings are essential to maintaining public confidence in the justice system.

According to her, the conduct of judges of superior courts carries institutional significance, as it sets the standard for the entire judiciary. She warned that inconsistency in ethical conduct could erode public trust.

The CJN commended the NJI for ongoing reforms aimed at modernising judicial education and aligning its programmes with global best practices, noting that the Institute now places greater emphasis on practical, skills-based learning methods such as case studies, peer engagement, and problem-solving techniques.

She acknowledged the contributions of John Inyang Okoro, Chairman of the NJI Education Committee, and Babatunde Adejumo, for their roles in advancing judicial training and capacity building.

Justice Kekere-Ekun urged participants to actively engage in the sessions and embrace continuous learning as an essential component of judicial responsibility.

Declaring the workshop open, she expressed confidence that the engagement would deepen ethical awareness, enhance judicial competence, and ultimately strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s judiciary.

The week-long workshop features sessions on judicial independence, standards for recusal, financial disclosure, social media conduct, and the limits of extra-judicial activities, reflecting the evolving complexities of judicial practice.