The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has cautioned judges against forum shopping, withholding information about related cases and issuing conflicting court orders as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
She gave the warning on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 2026 Roundtable for Heads of Courts, organised by the National Judicial Institute.
Kekere-Ekun said election-related disputes often expose the judiciary to political pressure and intense public scrutiny, stressing that judges must remain impartial and guided by the law.
“The judiciary must be prepared to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with impartiality, courage and fidelity to the law,” she said.
She added that political considerations and public pressure must not interfere with the proper interpretation and application of 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,” the CJN stated.
The head of the judiciary urged court leaders to establish effective administrative measures to ensure the timely and orderly handling of election-related cases.
She also advised judges to scrutinise applications carefully, demand full disclosure of relevant facts and consider related proceedings before granting urgent or ex-parte orders.
According to her, forum shopping undermines consistency in judicial decisions, encourages the abuse of court processes and exposes the judiciary to unnecessary controversy.
“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.
Kekere-Ekun further expressed concern over delays in the administration of justice, noting that prolonged proceedings impose financial and emotional burdens on litigants and weaken public confidence in the courts.
While acknowledging that inadequate funding, infrastructure and judicial manpower contribute to delays, she said some problems could be addressed through better court administration.
She identified poor case scheduling, repeated adjournments, ineffective docket management and inadequate monitoring of pending cases as factors that unnecessarily prolong litigation.
The CJN urged heads of courts to regularly review their caseloads, identify long-pending cases and develop practical measures to reduce backlogs.
She, however, warned that efforts to improve efficiency must not undermine litigants’ rights to fair hearings.
“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.
On judicial appointments, Kekere-Ekun called for transparent and merit-based selection processes, urging heads of courts to prioritise competence, character and suitability while resisting external interference.
She also called for stronger professional standards, accountability and continuous development for judicial officers.
The CJN directed court leaders to ensure that judges commence sittings promptly and that lawyers and litigants are informed in advance whenever scheduled proceedings are cancelled.
Describing punctuality as a professional duty, she said it was unacceptable for people to travel long distances and incur expenses only to discover that their cases would not be heard.
She urged court registries to establish reliable systems for communicating changes to sitting schedules.
On courtroom conduct, Kekere-Ekun stressed that judges must exercise their authority with fairness, composure and respect, regardless of the social or financial status of those appearing before them.
“Every litigant, regardless of social status, financial means or education, deserves dignity, while lawyers are entitled to courteous treatment,” she said.
She added that courtrooms must remain professional environments free from bullying and harassment.
The CJN also advocated increased investment in judicial support personnel, including registrars, research officers, administrative staff and information technology workers.
She further recommended structured mentorship programmes through which newly appointed judges could gain experience under the guidance of senior judicial officers before sitting independently.
Earlier, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute and retired President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, said the judiciary remained under constant public scrutiny because of its responsibility to uphold justice and the rule of law.
Adejumo described the annual roundtable as an opportunity for heads of courts to discuss shared challenges and develop collective solutions.
He also commended Kekere-Ekun for reforms which he said had strengthened judicial independence and improved integrity across the judiciary.
