Avoid misuse of power to grant ex-parte orders, CJN cautions new judges

By Vivian Okejeme,  Abuja

The Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN) Justice  Kukere-Ekun, Monday, cautioned the newly appointed Justices of the Superior Courts of Record to avoid the misuse of the power to grant ex-parte orders.

The CJN drew the attention of the judges to Rule 3 Paragraphs 3.4, 3.8, 3.6 and 3.7 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers that cautions to avoid the misuse of the power to grant ex-parte orders,

Speaking at the opening ceremony of 2025, Induction Course For Newly Appointed Judges of the Superior Courts of Record, the CJN insisted that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has a zero tolerance policy where abuse is established.

Kekere-Ekun also urged the Justices to return to the oath taken to do justice without fear or favour, affection or ill will when faced with moments of great challenge.

The CJN called on them to let that solemn pledge be their anchor when confronted with daunting pressures of case management, the scrutiny of the public, and the solitude of decision making.

Notifying the judges on  judicial efficiency and the well-being of the Judge, the CJN maintained that the Bench is not for the faint-hearted as the mental, emotional, and psychological demands of judicial service are considerable.

“I am therefore pleased to note that this Course includes sessions on judicial wellness, stress management, and ethical fortitude. These are not peripheral topics. They are essential to ensuring that our judges remain healthy, alert, and grounded in the face of the immense pressures they must bear.

“To quote the late Justice Antonin Scalia of the United States Supreme Court: ‘if you are going to be a good and faithful judge, you have to resign yourself to the fact that you are not always going to like the conclusions you reach. If you like them ail the time, you are probably doing something wrong.”

“This profound observation speaks to the inherent tension between personal sentiment and judicial duty. As Judges, you must rise above emotion, pressure, or partisanship. Your fidelity must always lie with the law, and with the dictates of justice,” She concluded.

In his welcome address, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute,(NJI) Justice  Salisu Garba Abdullahi, said the theme of the year’s Induction Course “ENHANCING JUDICIAL EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF DECISION MAKING” directly speaks to the critical role judges play in the sustenance of Democracy.

He hamped on the efficiency and the quality of their decisions as it impacts the parties, shape public trust, promote social stability, and contribute to the development of the Rule of Law in our Nation.

“The theme, in my opinion, is a reminder that our Judiciary must continue to adapt to emerging challenges, whether through embracing innovative case management practices or applying sound principles of law to increasingly complex disputes. It calls for commitment to professional ethics, judicial independence, and the highest standards of decision-making.”