CJN Kekere-Ekun Urges Judges to Stay Neutral Before Elections

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, issued a warning to judges regarding their conduct as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. Speaking during the opening of the 2026 Legal Year of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Abuja, she stressed the necessity for judicial officers to remain impartial and avoid any actions that could suggest favoritism towards any political party or candidate.

Kekere-Ekun highlighted that election disputes often evoke strong emotions and political pressure, urging judges to handle such cases with calmness and adherence to the law. She cautioned against forum shopping, which could undermine the judicial process, and emphasized that the urgency of election disputes should not impede timely justice for other litigants.

Furthermore, she called for transparency in the appointment processes of judicial officers, managed by the National Judicial Council and the Federal Judicial Service Commission, to ensure public confidence in the judiciary.