The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has cautioned court registrars and judicial administrators nationwide to uphold strict ethical standards, warning that their conduct significantly shapes public confidence in the judiciary.
She said poor treatment of court users, administrative inefficiency, and lack of transparency often influence how citizens perceive the entire justice system.
“When litigants encounter delay, discourtesy, opacity, or administrative inefficiency, they leave with the impression that the entire judicial system is compromised,” the CJN stated.
Justice Kekere-Ekun made the remarks on Monday at the opening of a National Workshop on Ethics for Judicial Administrators in Abuja.
She was represented at the event by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa of the Supreme Court.
The CJN noted that modern expectations of the judiciary had expanded beyond courtroom judgments to include efficient and transparent administrative systems.
According to her, citizens now demand accountability, prompt service delivery, and openness in judicial processes.
She stressed that these expectations could only be met when administrative structures are guided by integrity, competence, and strong ethical discipline.
“Ethical administration demands adherence to principles that mirror the ethical obligations of the Bench itself: integrity, impartiality, accountability, confidentiality, diligence, and respect for all court users,” she said.
Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasised that judicial administrators must remain neutral at all times and avoid any form of external influence, personal bias, or improper pressure.
She also cautioned court officials against acting as intermediaries for preferential treatment or informal access to justice, insisting that such behaviour undermines fairness in the system.
According to her, court personnel owe their primary duty to the institution itself, not to family members, friends, lawyers, or litigants.
“Court officials must therefore act with strict impartiality, guided solely by law, procedure, and institutional responsibility.
”Personal relationships, external pressures, or private interests must never be permitted to influence official conduct,” she said.
The CJN further highlighted the importance of confidentiality, noting that judicial administrators regularly handle sensitive case files, personal data, and privileged information that must be protected to preserve public trust.
“Safeguarding such information is fundamental to protecting litigants’ rights and maintaining confidence in the judicial process,” she added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, described court administrators as the institutional backbone of the judiciary, saying their role is central to maintaining the credibility and continuity of justice delivery.
He observed that ethical challenges in judicial administration now extend beyond routine duties to broader issues such as accountability, personnel management, and financial oversight.
The workshop is expected to address key areas including records management, staff discipline, professional conduct, and improved service delivery standards within the judiciary.
Facilitators at the five-day programme include the Chief Registrar of the Ebonyi State High Court, Mrs. Nnenna Onuoha; Murtala Halidu of the Kaduna State Judicial Service Commission; and the Chief Registrar of the Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, Tajudeen Karanga.
