Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun called on the judges of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) to uphold integrity to match the beauty of the court’s new headquarters complex, which she inaugurated on Wednesday.
“Let its imposing physical presence be matched by integrity, independence, competence, discipline, and fidelity to the law,” she said during the inauguration of the complex in Abuja.
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She expressed confidence that the building would be an enabling environment for the court to discharge its duties and contribute meaningfully to the development of labour and industrial jurisprudence.
The building inauguration took place as part of the ocassion marking the commencement of the NICN’s new 2026/2027 legal year.
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The President of the NICN, Benedict Kanyip, expressed the court’s commitment to strengthening capacity to discharge dignity and that the courtroom is accessible to all persons who seek justice.
Like the CJN, he noted that buildings “do not dispense justice and technology does not replace judicial wisdom” but only support efficiency.
Emphasising human roles in advancing cause of public good, Mr Kanyip said, “Infrastructure does not guarantee public governance.”
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He affirmed the NICN’s commitment to ensuring integrity and impartiality remain guiding principles.
“Fairness must remain at the heart of our decisions. With respect for the policies of the rule of law must remain absolute,” he said.
He noted that the NICN exists to provide a peaceful and lawful environment for the growing industrial and human industries, protect rights and uphold lawful obligations.
The building
Wednesday’s inauguration serves as the climax of the construction project which the former and pioneer president of the NICN, Babatunde Adejumo, started in 2010.
The building has four floors with seven courtrooms and one ceremonial court.
It also boasts 11 judges’ chambers, three of which are designated for visiting judges. It also houses the president and heads’ chambers, judges’ library, chief registrar’s office and a conference room.
The basement has a parking lot with capacity of 35 cars along with stores and archives. The ground floor of the building has several offices.
The Chairman, Sunsplash Business Systems Limited, George Alonge and the quantity surveyor, Sunday Makinde, who led the construction, were present at the inauguration.
‘Beautiful building can’t deliver justice’
Speaking at the inauguration on Wednesday, the CJN said the building “represents many years of vision, planning, commitment, and perseverance…a practical response to the realities of the court’s present and future workload.”
She commended both the former and incumbent presidents of the NICN for their foresight and vision. The former president, Mr Adejumo, was in attendance.
She said the building stands as a reminder that “institutional development is a continuum.”
“One administration may conceive an idea, another may advance it, and yet another may bring it to completion,” the CJN said.
She however said the facility comes with responsibilities.
“A beautiful building cannot by itself deliver justice. The true measure of this edifice will ultimately be found in what takes place within its walls,” she said.
She said that the completion of the building should not be the end of responsibility, as she called for proper maintenance and preservation to ensure the edifice continues to serve the court effectively for generations to come.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, was represented at the event by the Acting Director of Civil Appeals of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Tijani Gazali.
Other prominent figures at the event included the Chief Judge of the Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Husseini Yusuf, the President, Customary Court of Appeal of the FCT, Stanley Lawal; President of the Court of Appeal, Monica Dongban-Mensem, and former CJN Mahmoud Mohammed, Walter Onnoghen.
New legal year speech
In his new legal year speech, Mr Kanyip noted that the NICN would embrace technology where necessary and ensure that the confidence imposed in us by those who use our services is justified through our broader position and our commitment to the rule of law.
Reflecting on the past 2025/2026 legal year, Mr Kanyip disclosed that 2,236 cases were disposed of.
He said the NICN aims at full digitalisation of the court process, expansion of its judicial infrastructure and improved welfare of its staff; he prayed for an improved budget for the NICN to actualise this.
He also disclosed that the National Judicial Council has recommended an NICN judge, Sanusi Kado, to the Court of Appeal.
The AGF, represented by Mr Gazali, commended the NICN for its structure and urged that the “responsibility is to build on the foundation to strengthen the court process, expand access to justice, and continue the possible use of technology, while ensuring that every worker and employer who comes before the court receives a fair, efficient, justified decision.
READ ALSO: Ethical conduct, integrity key to public confidence in judiciary – CJN
The CJN also said that the new legal year ceremony is an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities that accompany judicial office.
“Judicial office is a great privilege, but it is also a profound responsibility. Every judge must remain conscious that the authority of the court is the right of the Constitution and the law, and that the confidence which the public places in the judiciary must be held up fresh every year.”
She acknowledged that the volume of cases can be demanding but reminded the judges that pressure “must never become an excuse for impatience, discourtesy, or inadequate attention to the matters placed before the court.”
The CJN said the judges should always remember that every case represents people, businesses, and livelihoods.
She also acknowledged that the workplace is changing with new forms of employment, digital platforms and remote agreements.
She said that while artificial intelligence could help in research, judges should always verify, as AI is susceptible to errors.
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