Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, delivered a message to magistrates on Monday, emphasizing the importance of their behavior in upholding the integrity and independence of the judiciary. In his address during the 2023 induction course for newly appointed magistrates in Abuja, the CJN urged them to avoid unnecessary delays in dispensing justice.
He highlighted that the essence of justice lies in its swift and fair execution, balancing the duration of proceedings with the quality of outcomes to ensure that both timeliness and integrity are maintained.
The induction course, themed “Strengthening access to quality justice delivery in the magistrates’ courts,” was co-organized with the Judicial College of England and Wales. During the event, the Deputy Senior District Judge of the Judicial College of England and Wales, Tanweer Ikram, and Circuit Judge and International Coordinator, Rachel Karp, emphasized the importance of ongoing multidisciplinary judicial training to enhance integrity, impartiality, expertise, and accountability.
The administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Salisu Abdullahi, warned magistrates against engaging in corrupt practices, reminding them of their commitment to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers and the Oath of Office.