CJN tells senior judges to guide younger ones

Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has called on senior judges to mentor junior judicial officers. This will help share knowledge and improve the quality of court decisions.

Ms Kekere-Ekun spoke at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Annual Conference in Kingston, Jamaica. Her spokesperson, Tobi Soniyi, shared details of her speech.

During a panel session on ‘Judicial bullying and harassment,’ she said senior judges have important knowledge that cannot be learned from books. They have a duty to mentor, supervise, and guide younger judges.

“They have a responsibility to guide younger colleagues, share experience and help them understand the demands of the Bench,” she stated.

She emphasized that mentorship should boost a junior judge's confidence. A judge must feel free to ask questions without feeling embarrassed. They should also be able to admit uncertainty without fear of being punished later.

Ms Kekere-Ekun pointed out that a new judge should be able to disagree with a senior judge without fear. She added that a junior judge should raise concerns about office practices without being seen as troublesome.

The CJN believes a judge must express their independent views without worrying about personal fallout. “The judiciary is an institution founded upon reasoned disagreement,” she said.

She highlighted that judges at the appellate level need to consider different viewpoints and disagree when needed. “If seniority becomes a substitute for persuasion, the quality of judicial reasoning suffers,” she warned.

While she stressed the need for respect for seniority, she also cautioned that submission to seniority should not come at the cost of independent judgment.

The CJN reminded judges about accountability. She said judges must be accountable for their actions, performance, and adherence to professional standards. She added that judicial independence does not mean freedom from accountability.