Tinubu Urges Nigerian Judges: ‘Justice Must Never Be for Sale’

Abuja, Nigeria – November 17, 2025 – President Bola Tinubu has delivered a stern message to Nigeria’s judiciary, insisting that justice must never be commodified or compromised.

Speaking at the All Nigeria Judges’ Conference in Abuja on Monday, the President warned that courts should not serve as sanctuaries for delay or moral compromise, urging judges to restore public confidence in the legal system.

“Courts must no longer be places where cases linger for years. They must be beacons of efficiency, where disputes are resolved swiftly, and where litigants leave with renewed faith in the rule of law,” Tinubu said.

The President described the conference’s theme, ‘Building a Confident Judiciary’, as timely, highlighting that confidence is the “lifeblood of justice.”

He stressed that restoring trust in the judiciary is not solely the duty of the National Judicial Council but a collective responsibility of every judicial officer. Tinubu noted that public perception of the judicial system has often been negative, with citizens expressing frustration over delayed rulings, limited access to justice, and concerns about integrity.

“A judgment may be legally sound, but if the public perceives it as unfair or biased, its authority is diminished. Justice exists not for the Bench or the Bar, but for the people,” he said.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment, Tinubu promised unwavering support to the judiciary in its constitutional mandate and efforts to eliminate misconduct.

“The faith of the people in the judicial process is the foundation of our national stability,” he added.