Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun Urges Judges to Stay Neutral

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, issued a warning to judges regarding their conduct in relation to political parties during the resolution of disputes arising from the 2027 general elections. This warning was delivered during the opening of the 2026 legal year of the Supreme Court in Abuja.

She stressed that judges must maintain absolute impartiality and avoid any behavior that could compromise their neutrality. Kekere-Ekun highlighted the heightened political activity and emotions surrounding elections, urging judicial officers to approach such disputes with calmness and fidelity to the law.

She also addressed the issue of forum shopping by lawyers, which can lead to conflicting orders and undermine the judicial process. The Chief Justice called for greater professional responsibility from lawyers and emphasized the need for the judiciary to remain accessible to all litigants, ensuring that political litigation does not delay other legitimate cases.