As the 2027 general elections approach, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has warned judges against conflicting interim orders, forum shopping and abuse of ex parte applications, particularly in pre-election disputes.
Speaking at a special session of the court to commemorate the ceremonial commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year of the Federal High Court and the 41st Annual Conference of Judges in Abuja on Monday, the CJN urged the firm application of procedural discipline to ensure that the judiciary is not perceived as a tool for political gaming.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also addressed the persistent problem of delay in the delivery of justice, stressing that judges must actively manage cases and guide proceedings.
According to her, the National Judicial Council (NJC) would continue to strengthen oversight of case progression to support institutional efficiency and discipline.
In terms of well-being and security, the CJN reaffirmed the commitment of the Judiciary to improve working conditions, infrastructure, support for investigation and the security of judicial officials, noting that a judge who feels insecure cannot administer justice with confidence.
He called for renewed institutional discipline, deeper digitalization and an unwavering commitment to integrity in the administration of justice.
While commending the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, for his leadership, Justice Kekere-Ekun said the Court occupies a central place in Nigeria’s constitutional and legal architecture, with jurisdiction over critical national issues such as revenue, taxation, immigration, maritime operations and intellectual property.
He said that “the Federal High Court was not conceived as a court of peripheral jurisdiction. Its decisions directly influence national policy and public perception of the rule of law”, and acknowledged that public confidence in the judiciary remains fragile.
The CJN warned that unpredictable or inefficient judicial processes could undermine even well-reasoned sentences, and emphasized that punctuality, consistency in court sessions and transparent communication with litigants and lawyers were essential components of the delivery of justice.
“Our judgments constitute our voice, and the way we carry out our duties defines the authority and credibility of that voice,” he said.
The CJN highlighted the need for judicial independence based on responsibility, courage and moral clarity, while praising the judges of the Federal High Court for continuing to perform their duties with professionalism despite increasing pressure and public scrutiny.
On reforms, Justice Kekere-Ekun identified that digitization is no longer optional but a core institutional priority and advocated for the expansion of virtual hearings, e-filing, electronic case tracking and secure digital records to improve speed, accountability and public confidence in the courts.
At the beginning of his speech, Federal High Court Chief Justice John Tsoho said the court achieved good results in efforts to improve efficient and effective service delivery over the past legal year.
At the end of the 2023/2024 legal year, it said that a total of 161,999 cases were pending and transferred to the 2024/2025 legal year, adding that, within the period, a total of 19,925 cases were filed, bringing the total number of pending cases to 181,924.
“Of this figure, a total of 16,019 were resolved, leaving 165,905 cases pending,” he said, adding that of the 16,019 resolved cases, 3,113 are civil cases, 5,818 are criminal cases, 3,724 are motions and 3,364 are fundamental human rights cases.
The chief judge said a total of 44,650 civil cases, 44,078 criminal cases, 46,228 motions and 30,949 fundamental rights enforcement applications were pending at the end of the last legal year.
He revealed that the process of appointment of 14 additional judges to the court has reached an advanced stage following the approval and support of the CJN and the NJC president.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, said that the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court over matters defining the economic, regulatory and constitutional framework of the country places it at the center of national development and investor confidence.
While urging the court’s judges to remain vigilant against any real or perceived political capture or manipulation, he said, any perception that judicial processes are shaped by partisanship undermines the foundations of the rule of law.
The NBA chief said the judiciary must protect its independence with utmost vigilance as its authority is based on public confidence in its neutrality.
He said the Federal High Court must insist that its jurisdiction cannot be manipulated as a substitute for political will, party leadership, party discipline or internal democracy, adding that “not all disputes within a political party are justiciable and not every complaint constitutes a legal dispute.
“The court docket should not become political theater or a playground for political leadership or factional dominance,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Corps of Senior Lawyers of Nigeria (BOSAN), Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN urged judges to be bold, strong and courageous in the discharge of their duties, adding that “the law is what the judges say.”
Agabi said the dominance of a political party as it is now, which has virtually eliminated the opposition, makes the work of the judiciary more urgent and important.
He called on judges to be bold, honest and innovative in adjudicating political matters as the hope of the nation lies in the judiciary.
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