Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun Calls for Judicial Integrity Ahead of Elections

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, addressed judges at the 2026 Roundtable for Heads of Courts in Abuja, urging them to prevent forum shopping and conflicting orders as the 2027 general elections approach. She highlighted that election-related disputes attract significant public interest and pressure on the judiciary, necessitating impartiality and strict adherence to legal standards.

Kekere-Ekun emphasized the importance of timely and orderly handling of election-related cases, warning against the manipulation of judicial processes for favorable outcomes. She described forum shopping as detrimental to judicial integrity and called for careful scrutiny of applications to ensure full disclosure of relevant facts.

The Chief Justice also expressed concern over delays in case determinations, identifying them as a major challenge that undermines public confidence in the justice system. She noted that while some delays stem from inadequate resources, others can be mitigated through effective judicial administration.