Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Nigeria’s Chief Justice, has called on senior judges to prioritize mentorship over rigid hierarchy to maintain the integrity of judicial reasoning. During her address at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association conference in Jamaica, she warned that seniority should not replace persuasion or suppress independent judgment. She argued that senior judges possess institutional knowledge-experience with cases, precedents, and unwritten norms-that cannot be taught in academic settings.

Their responsibility, she stated, is to guide younger colleagues rather than dominate them. “They have a responsibility to guide younger colleagues, share experience and help them understand the demands of the Bench,” she said. Effective mentorship, she added, would allow junior judges to develop confidence in their roles without fearing retaliation for raising concerns or disagreeing with senior colleagues. A major issue addressed was the pervasive culture of intimidation within judicial circles.

The CJN stressed that junior judges must feel empowered to ask questions, challenge decisions, or voice concerns without being labeled as difficult or insubordinate. The judiciary, she noted, depends on reasoned disagreement-particularly at appellate levels-where judges must carefully evaluate competing perspectives. “If seniority becomes a substitute for persuasion, the quality of judicial reasoning suffers,” she cautioned. While respect for hierarchy remains important, it must never overshadow intellectual independence.

The judiciary’s strength, she argued, lies in open, professional exchanges-even when opinions conflict. Kekere-Ekun also clarified that mentorship should not be mistaken for domination or harassment. Senior judges must create an environment where younger colleagues learn from experience while retaining the freedom to exercise independent judgment. She emphasized that accountability and judicial independence must coexist-judges must remain productive and adhere to professional standards without suppressing legitimate debate.

Read Also: SERAP Sues CBN Over Missing $6.23m, ₦1.63tn Funds

Her remarks align with ongoing efforts to address judicial bullying and harassment, a topic explored during a dedicated conference panel. The discussions reflect a broader recognition that a healthy judiciary requires both respect for experience and protection of individual judgment. Senior judges in Nigeria carry decades of institutional knowledge-cases, precedents, and unspoken practices that textbooks cannot convey. Kekere-Ekun’s warning highlights a critical tension: how to harness that experience without stifling junior judges’ willingness to speak up.

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. The core challenge lies in balancing respect for hierarchy with the need for open dissent. Younger judges require guidance but also the space to question, challenge, and contribute.

Without this balance, the judiciary loses its capacity to evolve through reasoned disagreement-a process Kekere-Ekun described as its most valuable asset. The CJN’s emphasis on mentorship goes beyond formal training. It involves supporting an environment where junior judges can acknowledge gaps in their knowledge without fear. Her statement reinforces a fundamental principle: judicial independence is hollow if judges cannot dissent or raise concerns without facing repercussions.

The ideal, she suggested, is a judiciary where experience is shared-not weaponized. The Jamaica conference provided a platform for these discussions, but the conversation remains unfinished. For Nigeria’s judiciary to operate effectively, senior judges must set an example by offering guidance without intimidation and ensuring every voice, regardless of rank, is heard.