By Vivian Okejeme Abuja
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has emphasised the need for judges to take proactive approach to case management
The CJN said they are expected to exercise informed and active control over proceedings to ensure fairness and efficiency while maintaining impartiality.
This responsibility necessarily Justice Kekere-Ekun said requires a firm mastery of the Evidence Act, so that rulings on the admissibility of evidence can, in appropriate circumstances, be delivered from the Bench with clarity and confidence.
She stated that undue or routine adjournments to rule on issues of admissibility should be discouraged, as they contribute to delay and undermine the momentum of trial proceedings.
The CJN made this statement while presenting her opening address at the opening ceremony of the Refresher Course for Judges of the Supreme Court on the management of evidence in trials on Monday, February 2, 2026, in Abuja.
Justice Kekere-Ekun said the programme forms an essential part of the Institute’s continuing mandate to strengthen judicial capacity and to promote excellence in adjudication across ail levels of our court system.
“I am particularly gratified to address Judicial Officers drawn from across the superior courts, whose collective experience and commitment underscore the enduring relevance of continuous learning within the Judiciary.
“The National Judicial Institute occupies a central and strategic position in the administration of justice in Nigeria. Established by statute, the Institute is charged with the responsibility of providing continuing education for judicial officers and their support staff.
“This responsibility is foundational to the integrity, competence, and independence of the Judiciary. Judicial education is not optional; it is a necessary and ongoing process that ensures our courts remain responsive to legal developments, societal expectations, and constitutional imperatives.
“This Refresher Course is convened at a time when judicial work has become increasingly complex. The nature of disputes brought before our admissibility, authenticity, reliability, and probative value.
“Judicial officers must therefore be adequately equipped to navigate these complexities with confidence and consistency.
“The Evidence Act, 2011, as amended by the Evidence (Amendment) Act, 2023, continues to provide the statutory framework for evidentiary practice in Nigeria. Judges must interpret and apply its provisions in a manner that accords with constitutional guarantees, particularly the right to fair hearing.
“The exercise of judicial discretion in evidentiary matters must therefore be informed, principled, and firmly grounded in law and precedent”, she said.
The CJN, speaking further, stated that the practice of active case management has evolved significantly. Judges of the Superior Courts are routinely called upon to determine matters involving extensive records, complex factual scenarios, and multiple layers of evidence.
She said: “In this context, the effective management of evidence is no longer merely procedural; it is central to the delivery of justice itself. Evidence remains the foundation upon which judicial decisions are built. It is through evidence that facts are established, credibility is assessed, and the law is applied.
“While substantive and procedural rules provide the legal framework for adjudication, it is the manner in which evidence is received, managed, evaluated, and applied that ultimately determines the fairness and quality of judicial outcomes.
“For Judges of the Superior Courts, whose decisions often shape jurisprudence and public confidence in the justice system, a firm grasp of evidentiary principles is indispensable.
“The evidentiary environment within which our courts operate has expanded considerably. Alongside traditional oral and documentary evidence, courts are now confronted with electronic records, digital communications, forensic materials, and expert testimony from specialised fields.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun expressed her gratitude to Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro, CFR, JSC, and other Committee members for their ongoing oversight and guidance. She also commended Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo, OFR, Administrator of the Institute, for his leadership and dedication to judicial education.
“The Management and Staff of the Institute equally deserve recognition for their professionalism and commitment in organising this programme.
“I acknowledge the Heads of Court present for their support of the Institute and for encouraging Judicial officers to participate in continuing education programmes. Leadership that prioritises leaming and professional development reinforces a culture of excellence within the Judiciary.
“I also appreciate the Facilitators, Moderators, and Resource Persons for their willingness to share their expertise in support of judicial capacity building. Distinguished Participants, your presence here reflects a shared commitment to the highest standards of judicial service. Continuous learning is an essential attribute of judicial excellence.
“By participating in this Refresher Course, you reaffirm your dedication to delivering justice that is fair, reasoned, efficient, and responsive to the needs of society”, she said.
The programme also addresses several demanding and consequential areas of evidentiary practice, including expert evidence, election petition evidence, appellate standards of review, digital and electronically generated materials, and evidentiary questions arising under Islamic and Customary Law.
Of particular significance is the attention devoted to judicial strategies for managing evidentiary overload, resisting manipulation or procedural abuse, and preventing miscarriage of justice.
She also said: “I am confident that the Facilitators, drawn from seasoned judicial and professional backgrounds, will offer insights that are both rigorous and practical, and that will meaningfully strengthen judicial reasoning and trial management.
“Beyond formal instruction, this programme provides an important platform for peer engagement. Judicial Officers from different courts and jurisdictions bring varied experiences and perspectives.
“The opportunity to share challenges, approaches, and solutions enriches collective understanding and strengthens institutional coherence. I encourage participants to engage fully, to contribute openly, and to approach the sessions with a spirit of reflection and learning.
“I wish to express my appreciation to the Chairman of the Education Committee of the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute, management therefore entails controlling the presentation of evidence, ruling promptly on objections, curbing dilatory tactics, and safeguarding the integrity of the trial process.
“These functions demand not only technical competence but also sound judicial judgment exercised with decisiveness and restraint.
“It must also be recognised that decisions on evidentiary issues by the Superior Courts have broader systemic implications. Such decisions frequently set standards that guide trial practice across the Federation.
“Clear, consistent, and well-reasoned rulings contribute to certainty and coherence in the law, while inconsistent approaches may undermine confidence in the justice system. Strengthening judicial capacity in this area is therefore essential to the development of a credible and predictable body of jurisprudence.
“I have had the opportunity to review the programme designed for this = Refresher Course, and I note its comprehensive, carefully sequenced, and practice-oriented scope.
“The sessions engage directly with the realities of adjudication in contemporary courts, including the evaluation of written and oral testimony, the management of conflicting and sparse evidence, the treatment of hearsay and confessional evidence, and the safeguards required to prevent wrongful convictions.”
In his welcome address, the Administrator of the institution, Justice B. A. Adejumo said the management of evidence requires the careful exercise or judicial discretion.
He called on judges to balance competing considerations: relevance and admissibility on the one hand, ang faimess and justice on the other.
” Consequently, the objective of the Course is to strengthen Your Lordships’ capacity to navigate these complexities with confidence and consistency.
“It also aims to build upon the experience of Your Lordships to interrogate recurring challenges encountered in trial management, and to explore best practices that enhance efficiency without compromising the right to fair hearing guaranteed under the Constitution.”
