The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) Hon. Justice B.A. Adejumo, has called on Court and Other Judicial Staff to uphold professionalism, integrity, discretion and respect for every court user, saying their conduct is critical to maintaining public confidence in the Judiciary.
Justice Adejumo, made the call on Monday, during the opening ceremony of the National Workshop on Judicial Ethics for Court and Other Judicial Staff held at the Institute in Abuja.
The Administrator formally declared the 5-day workshop open on behalf of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the Board of Governors.
One Act of Misconduct Can Damage Public Confidence – Justice Adejumo
Justice Adejumo warned that misconduct by judicial staff could undermine public confidence in the Judiciary, noting that the reputation of the institution could be affected by the actions of a single individual.
“A single act of discourtesy, indiscretion, favouritism, or misconduct has the potential to diminish public confidence that has taken years to build,”he said.
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The NJI Administrator, however, said ethical conduct by judicial staff could strengthen the dignity of the Judiciary and reinforce public trust in the administration of justice.
“Conversely, professionalism, integrity, discretion, and respect for every court user reinforce the dignity of the Judiciary and strengthen public trust in the administration of justice,” he added.
Ethics Must Guide Judicial Staff
Justice Adejumo said ethical standards should not be limited to judicial officers, stressing that every staff member, regardless of position or responsibility, contributes to the reputation of the Judiciary.
He noted that judicial staff handle sensitive responsibilities, including official records, confidential communications, judicial schedules, protocol arrangements, public enquiries, inspections and administrative processes.
“These duties demand not only competence but also character,” he stressed.
Justice Adejumo added that the quality of the justice system depended not only on decisions delivered from the Bench but also on how judicial responsibilities were discharged by those supporting the courts.
Public Scrutiny, Technology Raise Ethical Demands
Justice Adejumo also said the increasing level of public scrutiny, instant communication, technological advancement and expectations for transparency had made ethical conduct more important.
“Since information travels rapidly in this age, public perception is formed almost immediately, and institutional reputations can be deeply affected by the conduct of a single individual,” he said.
He urged participants to use the workshop to renew their commitment to professionalism, discipline, accountability and mutual respect, while encouraging them to actively participate in presentations and breakout sessions.
Workshop Part of NJI’s 2026 Ethics Programme
The Administrator said the workshop was part of the NJI’s effort to promote excellence at every level of judicial administration.
He disclosed that ethics engagements had previously focused largely on judicial officers, adding that the Institute had organised workshops for judicial officers of both the Superior and Lower Courts earlier in the year.
He added that the National Workshop on Ethics for Judicial Administrators held in April and the current workshop for Court and Other Judicial Staff were deliberately included in the Institute’s 2026 programme.
Justice Adejumo commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the NJI, Hon. Justice K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun, for what he described as visionary leadership and foresight in promoting ethical standards across the Judiciary.
He also appreciated the Chairman of the Education Committee of the Board of Governors, Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro, members of the committee, Heads of Courts, facilitators and session managers for their contributions to the programme.
The training is expected to span five days and equip Court and Other Judicial Staff with the knowledge and ethical standards required to guide their day-to-day conduct and the running of activities within the Judiciary.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.