CJN Kudirat Kekere-Ekun Urges Judges to Maintain Impartiality

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, addressed judges at the 2026 Roundtable for Heads of Courts, organized by the National Judicial Institute in Abuja. She warned against forum shopping, concealment of related proceedings, and attempts to secure conflicting orders in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.

Kekere-Ekun highlighted that election-related disputes attract significant public interest and pressure on the judiciary, necessitating judicial officers to remain impartial and adhere strictly to the law. She emphasized the importance of timely handling of election-related cases and the need for judges to scrutinize applications carefully.

Kekere-Ekun described forum shopping as damaging to the judiciary, undermining consistency and exposing the institution to controversy. She also expressed concern over delays in case determinations, which burden litigants and weaken public confidence in the justice system.

The Chief Justice called for appropriate administrative arrangements to ensure competent and expeditious handling of election-related cases.