The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged judges, particularly heads of courts, to remain vigilant against practices capable of undermining the integrity of judicial proceedings ahead of the next election season.
The CJN identified forum shopping, concealment of related proceedings and attempts to obtain conflicting orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction as practices that threaten the credibility of the judicial system.
She made the call during the opening session of the 2026 Roundtable for Heads of Courts in Abuja, stressing that the judiciary must remain impartial and uphold the rule of law amid growing political activities.
Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that election-related disputes often attract intense public interest and place considerable pressure on the courts, making it imperative for judicial officers to exercise caution and uphold constitutional principles.
“The Judiciary must be prepared to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with impartiality, courage and fidelity to the law,” she said.
She emphasised that political sensitivity, public sentiment and the urgency attached to a case must not override the proper application of the Constitution, the Electoral Act and relevant court rules.
The CJN further urged judges to scrutinise applications carefully, demand full and frank disclosure of relevant facts, consider related proceedings and resist attempts to exploit urgent applications or ex-parte orders to secure improper advantages.
According to her, the integrity of judicial proceedings must not be compromised by competing political interests or pressure from any quarter.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also warned that forum shopping poses a serious threat to judicial consistency, encourages abuse of court processes and exposes the judiciary to unnecessary public controversy.
She called on heads of courts and other judicial officers to remain alert to such practices as the country prepares for another election season, reiterating the need to protect public confidence in the administration of justice.
