As the nation approaches another election season, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged judges, particularly heads of courts, to be vigilant against practices that undermine the integrity of judicial proceedings.
Justice Kekere-Ekun identified such practices to include forum shopping, concealment of related proceedings and attempts to obtain conflicting orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
She spoke during the opening session of the 2026 roundtable for heads of courts, in Abuja.
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The CJN said the issues require particular attention as the country approaches another election season, noting that election-related disputes often attract intense public interest and considerable pressure on the courts.
She added: “The Judiciary must be prepared to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with impartiality, courage and fidelity to the law.
“Political sensitivity, public sentiment or the urgency with which a matter is presented must never displace the careful application of the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the applicable rules of court.
“Judicial officers must be reminded of the need to scrutinise applications carefully, insist on full and frank disclosure of relevant facts, pay due regard to related proceedings and resist any attempt to use urgent applications or ex-parte orders to secure an improper advantage.
“The integrity of judicial proceedings must not be compromised by competing political interests or pressure from any quarter.
“Forum shopping is particularly damaging because it undermines consistency, encourages abuse of process and exposes the Judiciary to avoidable public controversy.
“Your lordships must therefore ensure that existing procedural safeguards are observed and that appropriate steps are taken whenever attempts to circumvent established judicial processes come to light.
“No litigant should be permitted to manipulate the judicial system in search of a favourable decision. Public confidence in the Judiciary will be tested during this period,” she said.
The CJN reminded the heads of courts that they are expected to provide the leadership necessary to ensure that election-related cases are handled competently, expeditiously and strictly in accordance with the law.
She said the objective is to ensure that the courts remain impartial arbiters of disputes, free from political influence and guided solely by the facts, the applicable law and the demands of justice.
Justice Kekere-Ekun spoke about the need for judges to always ensure prompt determination of cases, noting that the timely determination of cases remains one of the most pressing challenges confronting the Judiciary.
She said delay imposes financial and emotional burdens on litigants, diminishes the practical value of judicial remedies and weakens public confidence in the justice system.
The CJN added: “While some causes of delay arise from inadequate funding, infrastructure and judicial manpower, others can be addressed through effective administration.
“Inefficient docket management, repeated adjournments, poor scheduling and failure to monitor inactive cases can prolong proceedings unnecessarily.
“Every Head of Court should have a clear understanding of the condition of the court’s docket, including the number of pending cases, their age, the categories experiencing the greatest delays and the reasons for their continued pendency.
“This information should inform realistic strategies for reducing backlog, improving the allocation of hearing dates and ensuring that concluded matters are promptly removed from the active docket.
“Efficiency, however, must not be measured solely by the number of cases disposed of. It requires cases to be determined fairly, competently and within a reasonable time, with the right to fair hearing fully protected,” she said.
The CJN stressed the need to preserve the integrity of judicial appointments through a fair, transparent and merit-based selection process.
She asked the heads of courts to “strongly and courageously resist pressure from external interests and ensure that appointments are guided by objective criteria, competence, character and suitability for judicial office.
“Your lordships also have an important role in promoting professional standards, supporting the development of judicial officers and fostering an institutional culture that upholds impartiality and accountability.”
The CJN directed heads of courts to put in place mechanisms to ensure judges sit on time, notify litigants and lawyers promptly when sittings are cancelled, and treat court users with dignity.
Justice Kekere-Ekun described as unacceptable the situation where counsel and parties travel long distances at great expense, only to learn on arrival that the court will not sit.
She asked heads of courts to ensure registries have dependable procedures naming the officers responsible for notifications, the channels to be used and how to confirm that affected parties have been informed.
On courtroom conduct, she said judicial authority is best exercised with “fairness, composure and respect.
“Every litigant, regardless of social status, financial means or education, deserves dignity, while lawyers are entitled to courteous treatment. Firmness and courtesy are entirely compatible. A judge can control proceedings without humiliating counsel or a litigant,” she said.
She also directed heads of courts to ensure that courts remain professional workplaces free from bullying and harassment.
The CJN called for sustained investment in court staff, including registrars, research staff, administrative officers and IT personnel.
She urged all jurisdictions to adopt structured mentorship under which newly appointed judges are attached to experienced judicial officers for a defined period before sitting independently.
Speaking earlier, the Administrator of the NJI, retired Justice Babatunde Adejumo, said the Judiciary, as custodian of justice and guardian of the rule of law, is under constant public scrutiny, placing a heavy responsibility on those steering its affairs to safeguard its image and shape positive public perceptions.
He added that the programme was deliberately designed with minimal external intervention so that the Heads of Courts would direct discussions and determine outcomes.
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