“Justice must never be for sale"-Tinubu tells Judges, calls for end to corruption in Judiciary

By James Ike

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigeria’s judiciary to safeguard its honour by stamping out corruption and all forms of misconduct.

Speaking at the 2025 Conference of All Nigerian Judges of Superior Courts of Record, the President warned that the nation’s democratic foundation is threatened whenever justice is compromised.

Tinubu emphasised that no reform can succeed without integrity, insisting that “justice must never be for sale” and that the judiciary must never become a “sanctuary for compromise.”

“Corruption in any form or any arm of government weakens the nation. But corruption in the judiciary destroys it to the core. 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 in purpose and committed to serving Nigerians.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the justice system, noting that a judiciary with strong capacity, efficient processes, and unwavering integrity is essential to the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.

“In this spirit, we have resolved to provide the institutional and material support that will enable our courts to perform their duties with dignity, confidence, and efficiency. Support must be tangible, not ceremonial,” Tinubu stated.

He also described judicial modernisation as a priority, saying technology has become indispensable for improving transparency, efficiency, and public trust. The President pledged sustained attention to digitising court processes, deploying integrated case management systems, and upgrading judicial facilities nationwide.

On judicial welfare, Tinubu said the strength of the judiciary lies in the competence and commitment of judges, whom he described as “living custodians of justice.”

He affirmed that judicial welfare, training, and independence are crucial, adding that continuous learning must remain central to the bench as the law evolves.

“We must ensure that our judges are not only equipped to interpret the law, in contemporary times, but also empowered to shape it in accordance with constitutional values,” he said.