The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has again restated the commitment of Nigeria's judiciary to uphold the principles of fairness, accessibility and inclusivity within the justice delivery system.
She stated that the essence of justice lies in its comprehensibility and accessibility
to every individual, regardless of background or circumstances.
The CJN spoke on Monday in Abuja at the opening of Basic Certification Course for Court Interpreters organized by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in conjunction with the Ahmadu Bello University.
Justice Kekere-Ekun explained that though the training of court interpreters was long overdue in the country, its introduction now has underscored the judiciary’s unwavering resolve to uphold the principles of fairness, accessibility and inclusivity within our justice delivery system.
According to the CJN, the dearth of properly trained and certified ourt Interpreters has for too long hindered the effective functioning of our courts and has contributed to avoidable delays, judicial errors and, in unfortunate cases, flawed outcomes
“In a richly diverse country such as ours, where numerous languages and dialects coexist, the imperative of effective interpretation within the courtroom cannot be overemphasized.
“While our linguistic variety mirrors our cultural wealth, it also presents unique challenges in the administration of justice—particularly in ensuring accurate and complete interpretation during proceedings.
“Language is not just a tool of communication; it is a vessel of identity, emotion, and cultural context. Legal language, by its very nature,
is technical and complex. Translating it into languages and dialects that may lack precise legal equivalents is an arduous task, yet one that is critical.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 unequivocally guarantees the right of every individual to be informed of the nature of any charge against them in a language they understand.
“This right is not symbolic—it is a constitutional safeguard that forms the cornerstone of the right to fair hearing.
“The role of the Court Interpreter is
therefore not peripheral but pivotal. You serve as the vital link between the Bench and those who come before it.
“Yours is a role that demands more than bilingualism. It requires a comprehensive grasp of legal terminologies, courtroom procedures, professional ethics, and cultural
sensitivities. You are not merely translating words—you are conveying meaning, protecting rights, and enabling justice.
“Without your expertise, many individuals—especially those who do not speak or understand the language of the Court—would be excluded from participating fully and meaningfully in their own trials.
“This has the potential to result in miscarriage of justice, prolonged proceedings, and
erosion of public confidence in the Judiciary.
“This Course is therefore a commendable and decisive response to that longstanding
challenge. Let me emphasize that this Basic Certification Course is not merely a training exercise. It is a strategic investment in the credibility and integrity of our justice system.
“It marks a collective effort to standardize best practices, enhance professional competence, and restore confidence in the quality of court interpretation in Nigeria.
The CJN charged the participants to
approach the engagement with dedication, intellectual curiosity, and a firm resolve to raise the bar of excellence.
She commended the Chairman of the Education Committee of the Board of Governors of the NJI, Justice John Inyang Okoro, for his foresight and unrelenting commitment to developing not only judicial officers but also the indispensable support Staff that uphold the justice system.
The CJN also appreciated Heads of Courts present at the occasion whose consistent support for the programmes of the Institute continued to strengthen our institutional capacity.
Justice Kekere-Ekun praised the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi and the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Kabir Bala, along with their dedicated teams, for their commitment and diligence in conceptualizing and executing this initiative.
In his welcome address, the NJI Administrator, Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi emphasized that this course was aligned with the mandate of the NJI, which is to provide continuous judicial education for judicial officers and their support Staff in order to enhance the administration of justice in Nigeria.
According to him, interpretation in the courtroom transcends the mechanical task of converting words from one language to another; it is a crucial judicial function that safeguards the fairness, accuracy, and integrity of proceedings.
“A well-trained Court Interpreter ensures that an accused person fully comprehends the charges against them; that witnesses convey their testimonies accurately; and that all parties to a case actively participate in the judicial process.
Justice Abdullahi thanked the CJN for her visionary leadership and unwavering support for judicial education which he said made initiatives possible.
