The Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima has called on the nation’s judiciary to remain steadfast in the face of blackmail, warning that as custodians of the law, the third arm of government must shun the temptation of tinkering with justice to serve parochial interests.
Speaking at the maiden Body of Benchers Annual Lecture in Abuja on Wednesday, Shettima emphasized that “laws are not mere technicalities; they are the scaffolding of civilisation.” He stressed that without laws, there is no order, and without order, there is no society.
The Vice President specifically praised the judiciary for its recent handling of political challenges, noting how the courts upheld President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate “in the face of political blackmail.”
“Laws are not mere technicalities; they are the scaffolding of civilisation. Without laws, there is no order,” he said.
“Without order, there is no society. Every time justice is delayed, every time the law is bent to serve the interests of agents of anarchy, and every time institutions waver in the face of blackmail, we erode the very foundation of our nation. And if that foundation crumbles, no matter how high we have built, everything falls apart.”
He argued that justice is not determined by the “shrillest voice” but is equally essential to the most voiceless individual.
Quoting the eminent jurist Lord Atkin, Shettima reminded the assembled legal professionals that “Justice is not a cloistered virtue; it must be allowed to suffer the scrutiny of reasonable men.”
He urged judges to resist temptations that might compromise their ethical standards and to remain steadfast in the face of potential pressures.
The event, which also featured remarks from Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and a keynote address by former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, highlighted the critical role of the Body of Benchers in maintaining professional ethics and advancing legal scholarship.
