The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called on the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to uphold its integrity and independence while ensuring fairness and transparency in the discharge of its constitutional duties.
Justice Kekere-Ekun gave the charge in Abuja when she received members of the Tribunal, led by its Chairman, Mainasara Umar, during a courtesy visit to her office.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Tobi Soniyi, the CJN’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, the visit was aimed at seeking the judiciary’s support in enhancing the Tribunal’s efficiency and strengthening its institutional capacity.
Umar, while addressing the CJN, expressed concern about the deplorable state of the Tribunal’s facilities and emphasized the need for better funding and infrastructure to enable it to function effectively.
He appealed for the judiciary’s continued support to ensure that the CCT is adequately equipped to fulfil its constitutional role of promoting accountability and enforcing ethical conduct among public officers.
In her response, Justice Kekere-Ekun commended the Tribunal’s leadership and urged members to adopt innovative and pragmatic strategies to tackle operational challenges, including the backlog of pending cases.
She stressed the importance of operating strictly within the jurisdiction conferred by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and fostering close collaboration with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to strengthen compliance with asset declaration laws.
The CJN suggested that both the Tribunal and the Bureau take proactive measures such as sending reminders to public officers ahead of filing deadlines to improve compliance levels.
“Remember always that the credibility of the Tribunal, and indeed the entire judicial system, rests on the integrity and impartiality of its adjudicators. Let your actions inspire confidence in the institution you now lead,” Kekere-Ekun said.
She also encouraged the Tribunal to take full advantage of capacity-building programmes at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), including seminars and workshops designed to enhance the professional competence of members and staff.
Justice Kekere-Ekun reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to supporting institutions that promote transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in Nigeria.
— Hobnob News
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