The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has cautioned court registrars and administrators nationwide to conduct themselves responsibly, stressing that their behavior significantly influences how the public views the judiciary.

She delivered this message at the opening of the National Workshop on Ethics for Judicial Administrators in Abuja on Monday. Represented by Supreme Court Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, the CJN noted that when litigants face delays, rude treatment, lack of transparency, or inefficiency, they often conclude that the entire judicial system is flawed.

According to her, modern society now places higher expectations on the judiciary, with citizens demanding efficiency, transparency, accountability, and timely justice. She emphasized that meeting these demands goes beyond judicial rulings and requires strong administrative systems built on integrity, competence, and ethical discipline.

Kekere-Ekun highlighted that ethical court administration must reflect core judicial values such as integrity, impartiality, accountability, confidentiality, diligence, and respect for all court users. She urged administrators to remain neutral and avoid any form of undue influence, personal bias, or external pressure.

She further warned against presenting themselves as channels for favoritism or procedural shortcuts, stressing that their loyalty must remain with the institution rather than personal relationships or external interests. Officials, she said, must always act strictly in accordance with the law and established procedures.

The CJN also underscored the importance of confidentiality, noting that court administrators handle sensitive information that must be protected to preserve litigants’ rights and maintain trust in the judicial system.

Earlier, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Babatunde Adejumo, described the participants as the backbone of the courts. He noted that their responsibilities go beyond routine tasks to ensuring the credibility and continuity of the justice system.

He added that ethical challenges in judicial administration now extend to broader governance issues such as accountability, personnel management, and financial oversight.

The five-day workshop will focus on key areas including records management, staff discipline, professional boundaries, and improving service delivery within the courts.