CJN Kudirat Kekere-Ekun Urges Judges to Stay Impartial

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, issued a warning to judges regarding their conduct as they may be appointed to election petition tribunals for the 2027 general elections. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the 2026/2027 legal year of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, she highlighted the necessity for judges to exhibit impartiality, restraint, and detachment due to the politically sensitive nature of election cases.

Kekere-Ekun stressed that judges' conduct would be closely monitored and that any associations or public engagements should not create a perception of political bias. She also cautioned against personal attacks on judges and misrepresentation of judicial proceedings, urging the use of appropriate institutional channels for genuine concerns.

Additionally, she advised lawyers against duplicating court actions to prevent conflicting judgments and emphasized the judiciary's need to remain prepared for modern challenges while adhering to constitutional principles. Kekere-Ekun also warned about the potential misuse of artificial intelligence in legal practice.