The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Motomori Kekere-Ekun, has assured Nigerians that the judiciary will soon overcome the challenges that have hampered its smooth operations in recent times.

Speaking at a valedictory court session held in Abuja on Wednesday to honor the late Justice of the Supreme Court, Emmanuel Obioma Ogwuegbu, who passed away on October 28, 2024, at the age of 91, the CJN identified several issues facing the judiciary including delays in justice delivery, dwindling public confidence, and resource constraints.

"We are currently working very hard to make a change," Justice Kekere-Ekun stated, expressing confidence that these challenges are surmountable under her leadership.

The CJN paid tribute to the late Justice Ogwuegbu, noting that his life offers "a blueprint for renewal, integrity, service, learning and courage." She emphasized that his contributions have significantly shaped Nigeria's modern legal landscape and will continue to influence the nation's moral and legal consciousness.

"Throughout his illustrious judicial career, he brought to bear a rare combination of erudition, clarity, and compassion. He was a jurist who wrote with precision, reasoned with rigour, and adjudicated with fairness," she said.

Justice Kekere-Ekun highlighted the late jurist's deep insights and fearless reasoning, particularly in cases involving constitutional governance, individual liberties, and devolution of powers. She described him as "a torchbearer of justice" whose career spanned more than four decades of unwavering dedication to the bench.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, also spoke at the event, charging judicial officers to live up to expectations by administering justice without fear or favor.

In his message, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, described Justice Ogwuegbu as "a judicial titan" whose impact went beyond the length of his tenure or the number of cases he adjudicated.

"He rendered our laws clearer, our institutions stronger, and our democracy more stable. In an age where judicial courage is often tempered by politics or public pressure, His Lordship exemplified a rare independence of thought, tempered only by the boundaries of justice and the letter of the law," the NBA President stated.

The CJN's assurance comes at a critical time when Nigeria's judiciary faces scrutiny over its independence and effectiveness in upholding the rule of law, suggesting that reforms may be underway to address these longstanding issues.