By Vivian Okejeme
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Eku, has issued a stern warning to judicial officers against aligning with or leaning toward political parties as the judiciary prepares for disputes arising from the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja during the ceremony marking the commencement of the 2026 Legal Year of the Supreme Court, the CJN emphasized the critical need for neutrality, decorum, and strict adherence to the rule of law.
Addressing the heightened tension characteristic of electoral cycles, Justice Kekere-Eku underscored that judges must remain impartial figures above political fray.
“Elections inevitably generate heightened political activity and strong emotions.
“They also bring before the courts disputes that may have significant consequences for individuals, political parties, and the country.
“The Judiciary must approach such matters with the same calmness, detachment, and fidelity to the law that it brings to every other dispute… Judicial officers must exercise restraint, avoid political association or conduct capable of creating an appearance of partiality, and remain firmly within the boundaries imposed by their oath and the Constitution, the CJN stated.
The Chief Justice also addressed members of the Bar, cautioning lawyers against unprofessional tactics such as forum shopping—the practice of deliberately filing cases in specific divisions perceived to be favorable to a client or instituting multiple parallel suits for similar reliefs.
She noted that such practices create conflicting orders, embarrass the bench, and undermine public confidence in the judicial process.
Furthermore, Justice Kekere-Eku raised institutional concerns about political cases crowding out regular litigation
According to her, “The urgency of high-profile political cases must not come at the expense of regular litigants waiting for their day in court.
“Legal counsel must disclose existing related proceedings and prioritize the integrity of the judicial system over temporary client advantages.”
Turning to the appointment of judicial officers via the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), the CJN highlighted recent reforms—including structured assessments, peer feedback, background checks, and public comment periods on candidate integrity.
However, she warned against abusing the process: “The selection process must not be turned into a media circus or an avenue for settling personal grievances.
“ Social media should not be weaponized to harass, ridicule, or threaten judicial officers, staff, or legal practitioners.”
She stressed that established statutory channels exist for reporting misconduct or lodging formal complaints against judicial decisions.
Despite ongoing institutional challenges, Justice Kekere-Eku praised the Supreme Court’s performance over the past legal year, pointing to significant progress in clearing backlog and managing dockets effectively.
She noted that between March 23 and December 17, 2026, proactive case-management initiatives yielded significant results: “ 1,385 matters scheduled by the E-Diary Office (1,021 motions, 364 appeals).
“733 older cases deliberately brought forward for hearing.
178 moribund cases formally disposed of in Chambers.
“ 125 concluded matters identified and purged from the active docket pool.
Concluding her address, the CJN reiterated that maintaining the dignity and independence of the judiciary remains the joint duty of both the Bench and the Bar.
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