The Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, Justice Elvis Ngene, has warned that corruption within the judicial system poses a serious threat to fair hearing and access to justice in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abakaliki, the state capital, on Friday during the 2025/2026 Legal Year ceremony, Justice Ngene said corruption in the justice delivery system often takes the form of bribery, manipulation, and the perversion of justice for monetary or political gain.
He acknowledged that integrity challenges exist within the Nigerian judiciary and highlighted that public perception of corruption among judges and court officers discourages some citizens from seeking legal redress.
“Some people now choose to resolve their conflicts themselves rather than in the courts because of the menace,” he said.
Justice Ngene stressed that judges must remain “true and faithful to the constitution and the law,” urging judicial officers in the state to uphold the highest ethical standards.
He reminded them that any act of misconduct diminishes the credibility of the entire justice system.
