The National Judicial Institute has warned court and other judicial staff against misconduct, indiscretion and breaches of confidentiality, saying the conduct of a single employee can damage years of public confidence in the judiciary.
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Administrator of the NJI, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, gave the warning in Abuja at the National Workshop on Ethics for Court and Other Judicial Staff held at the Andrews Otutu Obaseki Auditorium.
Adejumo, who represented the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said the growing use of technology, faster modes of communication and increasing public scrutiny had created new ethical and confidentiality challenges for the judiciary.
He said judicial staff must recognise that their duties extend beyond routine administrative responsibilities because they regularly handle sensitive court records, confidential communications, judicial schedules and other information capable of affecting the integrity of court proceedings.
According to him, the changing environment in which courts now operate requires a corresponding strengthening of ethical standards among judicial personnel.
“Ethics must remain central to judicial administration,” Adejumo said, stressing that every staff member contributes directly or indirectly to the reputation of the justice system.
He warned that acts of discourtesy, indiscretion, favouritism and other forms of misconduct could undermine public confidence that the judiciary had spent years building.
The NJI Administrator said the reputation of the judiciary could be damaged not only by the actions of judges and other judicial officers but also by staff members who interact with litigants, lawyers and other court users, handle official records and assist in the administration of justice.
He particularly drew attention to the risks arising from modern technology and the speed with which information can now be transmitted, warning court personnel to exercise greater caution when handling information obtained in the course of their official duties.
According to him, judicial staff are custodians of sensitive institutional processes and must therefore demonstrate discretion, confidentiality and sound judgment at all times.
Adejumo noted that court activities now attract greater public attention and scrutiny, making the actions of individual judicial workers increasingly consequential to the image and credibility of the entire institution.
“The misconduct of a single staff member can affect the entire institution,” he warned.
He urged judicial workers to remain vigilant and committed to the values of integrity, impartiality, professionalism and confidentiality expected of persons working within the justice system.
Adejumo maintained that professionalism should not be regarded merely as a principle to be observed during formal court proceedings but should become part of the daily conduct of every judicial employee.
He urged participants to take full advantage of the workshop by learning from the resource persons and adopting practices capable of strengthening ethical conduct and improving performance across different jurisdictions.
The workshop forms part of the National Judicial Institute’s 2026 programme of activities and follows an earlier ethics workshop organised in April for judicial officers of Superior and Lower Courts.
Adejumo said the Board of Governors of the NJI, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, remained committed to promoting excellence, professionalism and high ethical standards throughout the Nigerian judicial system.
He also commended the Chairman of the Education Committee of the NJI Board of Governors, Justice John Inyang Okoro, and members of the committee for their contributions to the Institute’s programmes and capacity-building initiatives.
The NJI Administrator further expressed appreciation to Heads of Courts, facilitators and session managers whose support contributed to the success of the workshop.
The Institute maintained that as technology continues to change the way courts operate and communicate, judicial personnel must become increasingly conscious of the responsibility attached to access to sensitive information.
It stressed that protecting court records, confidential communications and other official information is essential to maintaining the integrity of judicial proceedings and preserving public trust in the administration of justice.
The NJI therefore urged judicial workers to ensure that confidentiality, fairness, discretion and professional conduct remain central to their everyday responsibilities, warning that even seemingly minor ethical breaches could have consequences for the reputation of the wider judiciary.
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