As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned judges across the country against issuing conflicting court orders or abusing ex-parte applications in pre-election disputes.
The CJN urged judicial officers to strictly enforce procedural discipline to prevent the courts from being perceived as instruments of political manipulation, stressing that public confidence in the judiciary remains fragile.
Justice Kekere-Ekun gave the warning on Monday in Abuja at a special court session marking the commencement of the Federal High Court’s 2025/2026 legal year and the 41st Annual Judges’ Conference.
She said the judiciary must rise above partisan pressures, particularly as election-related litigations increase, noting that inconsistent or unpredictable court processes could undermine even the most well-reasoned judgments.
“Our judgments constitute our voice, and the manner in which we discharge our duties defines the authority and credibility of that voice,” the CJN said.
Addressing delays in justice delivery, she charged judges to take firmer control of their dockets through active case management, adding that the National Judicial Council would continue to strengthen oversight of case progression to promote efficiency and institutional discipline.
The CJN also reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to improving the welfare, security and working conditions of judges, stressing that no judicial officer can dispense justice confidently in an atmosphere of insecurity.
She paid tribute to court administrators, registrars and support staff, describing them as critical to judicial efficiency, and urged them to uphold professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
Commending the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, for his leadership, Justice Kekere-Ekun said the court occupies a central position in Nigeria’s constitutional framework, with jurisdiction over vital national matters including revenue, taxation, immigration, maritime issues and intellectual property.
“The Federal High Court was not conceived as a court of peripheral jurisdiction. Its decisions directly shape national policy and public perception of the rule of law,” she said.
On judicial reforms, the CJN described digitisation as a non-negotiable priority, advocating the expansion of virtual hearings, e-filing, electronic case tracking and secure digital records to enhance transparency and public trust.
She said the unveiling of the Information Electronic Directory Table and Electronic Notice and Advertorial Display Screens marked a significant step towards improving access to court services and reducing confusion for litigants and lawyers.
Earlier, Justice Tsoho disclosed that at the end of the 2023/2024 legal year, the Federal High Court carried over 161,999 pending cases into the 2024/2025 legal year. With 19,925 new cases filed, the total rose to 181,924, out of which 16,019 cases were disposed of.
He said the disposed cases comprised 3,113 civil cases, 5,818 criminal cases, 3,724 motions and 3,364 fundamental human rights cases, leaving 165,905 matters pending nationwide.
The Chief Judge also revealed that the process of appointing 14 additional judges to the court had reached an advanced stage, following the approval and support of the CJN and the National Judicial Council.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, said the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction over matters that shape Nigeria’s economic and constitutional framework places it at the heart of national development and investor confidence.
He urged judges to remain vigilant against any form of political capture, warning that perceptions of partisanship could erode the foundation of the rule of law.
“Not every quarrel within a political party is justiciable, and not every grievance constitutes a legal dispute,” Osigwe said, adding that the court’s docket must not become a theatre for political dominance.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, urged judges to be bold and courageous in the discharge of their duties, noting that the dominance of a single political party heightens the responsibility of the judiciary.
He said the hope of the nation rests on a fearless, honest and independent judiciary, particularly in the adjudication of politically sensitive matters ahead of the 2027 elections.
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