The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Monday, reiterated Nigeria’s judiciary commitment towards upholding the principles of fairness, accessibility and inclusivity within the justice delivery system.
The CJN stated that the essence of justice lies in its comprehensibility and accessibility to every individual, regardless of background or circumstances.
Kekere-Ekun spoke in Abuja at the opening of Basic Certification Course for court interpreters organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in conjunction with Ahmadu Bello University.
At the event, she explained that though the training of court interpreters was long overdue in the country, the coming on board of it now according to her has underscored the judiciary’s unwavering resolve to uphold the principles of fairness, accessibility, and inclusivity within our justice delivery system.
The dearth of properly trained and certified Court Interpreters she noted 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 overemphasised.
“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 emphasise 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 standardise best practices, enhance professional competence, and restore confidence in the quality of court interpretation in Nigeria,” she said.
In his welcome address, the NJI Administrator, Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, emphasised 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.