Kingston:The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called on senior judges to mentor their junior colleagues to ensure the effective transfer of knowledge and to support fair adjudication practices. Her remarks were made during a speech at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Annual Conference in Kingston, Jamaica.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized the importance of mentorship in her panel session on ‘Judicial bullying and harassment.’ She highlighted that senior judges hold valuable institutional knowledge that is not found in books and have a duty to guide, supervise, and correct junior judges.
Justice Kekere-Ekun pointed out that mentorship should empower junior judges, allowing them to ask questions and express uncertainties without fear of repercussions. She asserted that a newly appointed judge should feel confident to disagree with senior colleagues and raise concerns about administrative practices without being labeled as difficult.
The Chief Justice further stated that judges should express independent views without worrying about personal consequences, as the judiciary relies on reasoned disagreement, especially at the appellate level. She warned that if seniority replaces persuasion, it could degrade the quality of judicial reasoning.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also underscored the need for respect for seniority while maintaining independent judgment. She reminded judges of their accountability regarding conduct, productivity, and adherence to professional standards, stating that judicial independence does not equate to freedom from accountability.