Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the newly inaugurated Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), has declared that adherence to court orders will be non-negotiable throughout her tenure. She stressed that no individual or institution, regardless of their status, will be permitted to ignore or show disrespect for court judgments.
Her remarks were made during a special court session in Abuja on Monday, which marked the start of the Supreme Court’s 2024/2025 legal year and welcomed 87 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs). Justice Kekere-Ekun reaffirmed the judiciary’s dedication to maintaining the integrity of legal decisions and emphasized the importance of collective efforts in ensuring compliance.
“Disobedience to court orders or failure to follow judicial directives undermines democracy and can lead to chaos,” she cautioned, highlighting the necessity of upholding democratic principles for societal stability. She urged all Nigerians to work together to promote the rule of law, safeguard citizens’ rights, and combat oppression.
The CJN assured the public that her tenure signifies a new chapter for the judiciary, pledging to restore public confidence. Acknowledging previous negative perceptions, she expressed her commitment to transforming the judiciary into a source of national pride. “When a nation’s legal compass falters, everything suffers, including public and international reputation,” she remarked, promising to alter this narrative.
Justice Kekere-Ekun condemned the practice of forum shopping among some lawyers, which results in conflicting orders from courts of equal jurisdiction, warning that such actions could tarnish the judiciary’s credibility. Reflecting on the previous legal year, she noted that the Supreme Court issued 247 judgments and rulings, encompassing 74 political cases, 92 civil cases, and 81 criminal cases, underscoring the judiciary’s critical role in protecting Nigeria’s democracy. She also highlighted a significant milestone in February 2024, with the appointment of 11 new Justices to the Supreme Court, bringing it to full capacity for the first time in years.
Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized the need for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to alleviate the courts’ workload, expressing concern over the increasing number of appeals, which she deemed unsustainable for a developing nation. She announced the development of a Supreme Court Mediation Centre to support this initiative in the new legal year. As the 2024/2025 legal year commences, the CJN expressed confidence in the judiciary’s preparedness to tackle future challenges and reaffirmed her commitment to improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
