The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has reaffirmed the judiciary’s dedication to upholding fairness, accessibility, and inclusivity in the country’s justice delivery system.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the Basic Certification Course for Court Interpreters, organized by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University, the CJN emphasized that justice must be both comprehensible and accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstance.
Justice Kekere-Ekun acknowledged that the long-overdue training of court interpreters marks a significant step toward strengthening judicial integrity. She noted that the lack of properly trained interpreters has, for years, impeded court efficiency and contributed to delays, errors, and in some cases, flawed outcomes.
“In a country as linguistically diverse as Nigeria, accurate courtroom interpretation is not optional—it is essential,” she said. “Language is more than communication; it carries identity, emotion, and cultural meaning. For justice to be served, legal language must be accurately conveyed in terms that litigants understand.”
Citing the 1999 Constitution, she stressed that every individual has the right to understand the charges against them in a language they comprehend. “This is not symbolic—it is a constitutional safeguard underpinning the right to a fair hearing.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun highlighted the pivotal role of court interpreters, describing them as vital links between the Bench and court users. “Your responsibility goes beyond bilingualism. You must understand legal terminology, courtroom protocol, ethics, and cultural nuances. You are not just translating—you are enabling justice.”
She urged participants to take the training seriously, describing it as a strategic investment in judicial credibility and a step toward standardizing best practices in court interpretation.
The CJN also commended Justice John Inyang Okoro, Chairman of the NJI Board of Governors Education Committee, for his commitment to training judicial officers and support staff. She further appreciated the heads of courts present and applauded NJI Administrator Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi and ABU Vice-Chancellor Professor Kabir Bala for their efforts in conceptualizing and delivering the programme.
In his remarks, Justice Abdullahi described courtroom interpretation as a critical function that ensures fairness and full participation in judicial proceedings. “A skilled interpreter allows the accused to fully understand the charges, enables witnesses to deliver accurate testimonies, and ensures all parties are actively involved in the process,” he stated.
He thanked the CJN for her visionary leadership and support for continuous judicial education, which has made such initiatives possible.
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