Cjn to the South African court: your loyalty without fear, praiseworthy unkind fidelity

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), the honorable justice Kudirat Kekere-Eekun, praised the Constitutional Court of South Africa for its constant loyalty to the constitutional values.

Kekere-Eekun has also praised the court for its scale without fear and judicial independence.

The thirtieth anniversary of the South African Constitutional Court, in your opinion, was a powerful affirmation that the Constitutional Court remains a beacon of constitutionalism and judicial excellence in the African continent.

The CJN made it known as he spoke to Johannesburg, South Africa, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the South African Constitutional Court.

He said the South African court was a source of inspiration throughout the continent.

While recognizing the role played by the Court in strengthening democracy in the Aprica Apartheid, the CJN added: “From that transformative moment, the Constitutional Court has been not only as the guardian of the Constitution of South Africa, but as a source of inspiration throughout the continent and beyond.

According to her, three decades ago, the court emerged as a lighthouse
of justice and constitutional renewal in a country that had chosen, with courage and conviction, the path of democracy, equality and the rule of law.

“In the jurisprudence of this Court, we witnessed the power of the law of healing a nation, of facing injustice and of making human dignity advance.

“Through the decision without fear, judicial independence and the unshakable loyalty to the constitutional values, you have shown the ability of the courts to be social transformation agents,” he noticed further.

On reference judgments recorded so far, Kekere-Eekun has claimed to have continued to echo well beyond the borders of South Africa, stating that the Constitution is not simply a legal document, but the living incarnation of the collective will and the aspirations of the people.

For the Nigerian judiciary, he said he had drawn a profound inspiration from the South African Constitutional Court, pioneering decisions and principle position in defense of democratic ideals.

“Your work reminds us of all that the constitutional courts play a vital role not only in the resolution of disputes, but in shaping only companies,” he added.