The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged senior judicial officers to deliberately mentor younger judges, warning that judicial seniority must never become a substitute for persuasion or a tool for suppressing independent judgment.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
Justice Kekere-Ekun made the call while speaking at the Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association in Kingston, Jamaica, where she participated in a panel session on “Judicial Bullying and Harassment.”
According to a statement by her spokesman, Tobi Soniyi, the CJN said senior judges possess institutional knowledge and practical experience that cannot be acquired from books alone and therefore have a responsibility to guide, supervise and correct younger colleagues.
“They have a responsibility to guide younger colleagues, share experience and help them understand the demands of the Bench,” she said.
The CJN maintained that effective mentorship would help newly appointed and younger judicial officers build the confidence required to discharge their responsibilities independently and effectively.
She said a judge should be able to ask questions without embarrassment or fear that admitting a lack of knowledge on a particular issue would later be used against him or her.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also stressed that newly appointed judges should be free to disagree with senior colleagues without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
According to her, a junior judicial officer should equally be able to raise concerns about administrative practices without being labelled difficult, troublesome or insubordinate.
She maintained that judges must be able to express independent views without worrying about personal consequences.
“The Judiciary is an institution founded upon reasoned disagreement. Judging at the appellate level, in particular, depends upon the ability of Judges to consider different perspectives and, where necessary, to disagree,” she said.
“If seniority becomes a substitute for persuasion, the quality of judicial reasoning suffers.”
While acknowledging the importance of respect for seniority within the judiciary, Justice Kekere-Ekun cautioned that such respect must never come at the expense of intellectual independence or sound judicial reasoning.
She said the strength of the judiciary depends in part on the ability of judges to engage one another openly, respectfully and professionally, including where there are differences of opinion.
The CJN also emphasised that mentorship should not be confused with domination, intimidation or harassment, insisting that the role of senior judicial officers should be to provide guidance and institutional support rather than create an atmosphere of fear.
She further reminded judges that judicial independence goes hand in hand with accountability.
According to her, judicial officers must remain accountable for their conduct, productivity and adherence to professional standards while carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
Justice Kekere-Ekun maintained that a healthy judicial institution must provide room for younger judges to learn from experienced colleagues while retaining the confidence and freedom required to exercise independent judgment.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
