Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called on senior judicial officers to strengthen mentorship for younger colleagues, stressing that the effective transfer of institutional knowledge, respect for independent judgment and professional accountability are critical to improving justice delivery.
Kekere-Ekun made the call at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Annual Conference in Kingston, Jamaica, during a panel session on “Judicial Bullying and Harassment”.
In a statement issued by her spokesman, Mr Tobi Soniyi, the CJN said senior judges possessed institutional knowledge and practical experience that could not be acquired from books alone, making their guidance essential to the professional development of newly appointed judicial officers.
She explained that senior judges had a legitimate responsibility to mentor, supervise and correct junior colleagues, but emphasised that such relationships must promote confidence and professional growth rather than intimidation or fear.
According to her, mentorship should provide younger judges with the freedom to seek clarification, acknowledge uncertainty and learn from experienced colleagues without worrying that their questions or admissions would later be used against them.
She stressed that newly appointed judges should also be able to disagree with senior colleagues and raise concerns about administrative practices without being perceived as difficult or subjected to adverse personal consequences.
The CJN argued that an environment of intimidation could weaken judicial independence by discouraging judges from expressing their considered opinions, particularly when their views differ from those of more senior officers.
She described reasoned disagreement as a fundamental feature of judicial decision-making, especially at the appellate level, where the consideration of different legal interpretations and perspectives is essential to reaching sound decisions.
“The Judiciary is an institution founded upon reasoned disagreement,” she said, adding that the quality of judicial reasoning could suffer when seniority became a substitute for persuasion.
Kekere-Ekun, however, cautioned that the need to protect independent judgment should not be interpreted as a rejection of seniority, professional discipline or respect for experienced judicial officers.
Rather, she advocated a judicial culture in which experience is shared constructively, disagreements are resolved through reasoned argument, and professional authority is exercised without undermining the confidence or independence of younger colleagues.
She also underscored the importance of accountability, noting that judicial officers must answer for their conduct, productivity and compliance with established professional standards.
According to the CJN, judicial independence does not confer unrestricted freedom from scrutiny or responsibility. Instead, it must operate alongside the obligation to maintain professional integrity and uphold the standards expected of the Bench.
Her remarks highlight the importance of balancing institutional hierarchy with the independence required for impartial adjudication. They also draw attention to the role of mentorship in preparing younger judges to handle the demands of judicial office while preserving the integrity of the justice system.
The Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Annual Conference provides a platform for judicial officers to discuss issues affecting the administration of justice, professional conduct and the functioning of courts across Commonwealth jurisdictions.
