Alex Enumah in Abuja
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has as soon as once more careworn the necessity for judicial officers, significantly heads of courts, to be aware in their dealing with of political issues, because the 2027 basic election attracts nearer.
Specifically, Justice Kekere-Ekun admonished that practices equivalent to discussion board purchasing, concealment of associated proceedings and makes an attempt to acquire conflicting orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction needs to be discouraged by the courts.
The CJN gave the cost on Monday in the course of the opening session of the 2026 roundtable for heads of courts, organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI).
She said that the problems require explicit consideration because the nation approaches one other election season, including that election-related disputes usually entice intense public curiosity and appreciable stress on the courts.
“The judiciary should be ready to discharge its constitutional obligations with impartiality, braveness and constancy to the legislation.
“Political sensitivity, public sentiment or the urgency with which a matter is offered must not ever
displace the cautious software of the structure, the Electoral Act and the relevant guidelines of courtroom,” she stated.
Kekere-Ekun subsequently urged the judges to make sure that applicable administrative preparations are in place to facilitate the well timed and orderly dealing with of election-related issues.
The CJN reminded judicial officers of the necessity to scrutinise functions rigorously, insist on full and frank disclosure of related details, pay due regard to associated proceedings and resist any try to make use of pressing functions or ex-parte orders to safe an improper benefit.
She stated: “The integrity of judicial proceedings should not be compromised by competing political pursuits or stress from any quarter.
“Forum purchasing is especially damaging as a result of it undermines consistency, encourages abuse of course of and exposes the judiciary to avoidable public controversy.
“Your lordships should subsequently make sure that current procedural safeguards are noticed and that applicable steps are taken at any time when makes an attempt to avoid established judicial processes come to gentle.
“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.”
The CJN reminded the heads of courts that they’re anticipated to offer the management needed to make sure that election-related circumstances are dealt with competently, expeditiously and strictly in accordance with the legislation.
She stated the target is to make sure that the courts stay neutral arbiters of disputes, free from political affect and guided solely by the details, the relevant legislation and the calls for of justice.
Speaking earlier, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Babatunde Adejumo (rtd), stated the judiciary, as custodian of justice and guardian of the rule of legislation, is underneath fixed public scrutiny, putting a heavy accountability on these steering its affairs to safeguard its picture and form constructive public perceptions.
Justice Adejumo, who’s the fast previous President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), stated the annual roundtable offers a platform for candid trade, figuring out cross-cutting challenges and collectively growing options.
He added that the programme was intentionally designed with minimal exterior intervention in order that the heads of courts would direct discussions and decide outcomes.
Justice Adejumo praised the CJN for the various reforms she has launched, which he stated has entrenched judicial independence and enhanced integrity throughout all ranges of the judiciary.
