CJN Kudirat Kekere-Ekun Urges Integrity in Courtrooms

On November 10, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, warned politicians, lawyers, public officials, and social media users against transforming the courtroom into a political arena. Speaking at the inauguration of judges for the 2027 Election Petition Tribunals in Abuja, she stressed that the judicial process should not be viewed as a continuation of electoral campaigns.

Kekere-Ekun urged compliance with lawful orders and cautioned against actions that could intimidate judicial officers. She noted that public opinion cannot replace legal proof and called for restraint in commenting on pending cases.

The CJN condemned practices such as filing multiple actions on the same issue and using ex parte applications for tactical advantages, which could undermine the justice system. President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, announced that 375 judicial officers were nominated for the tribunals, with 138 being returning members.

She emphasized the importance of resisting improper influences and maintaining the independence of the judiciary.