Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere Ekun has urged judges and heads of courts to safeguard judicial independence as political disputes intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking at the opening of the National Judicial Institute’s 2026 roundtable for heads of courts, the Chief Justice warned against attempts by litigants to exploit procedural weaknesses, conceal related cases or seek conflicting orders from courts of equal jurisdiction.
She said election disputes often generate exceptional public attention and political pressure, making strict adherence to the Constitution, the Electoral Act and applicable court rules essential.
Kekere Ekun called on judicial officers to scrutinize urgent applications, demand full disclosure of material facts and identify proceedings already pending elsewhere. She also urged courts to exercise particular caution when asked to grant orders without hearing the opposing party.
Forum shopping, she warned, damages consistency in judicial decisions and creates opportunities for abuse of the legal process. Court leaders, she said, must ensure that administrative arrangements support timely and orderly determination of election related cases.
The Chief Justice maintained that the judiciary’s responsibility was to decide disputes on their legal merits, without yielding to partisan interests, public sentiment or pressure from any quarter.
Earlier, retired Justice Babatunde Adejumo, Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, described the annual roundtable as a forum for court leaders to exchange views on institutional challenges and develop practical responses. He said public confidence in the judiciary depends in part on the conduct and leadership of those responsible for its administration.
The warning comes as political parties prepare for contests in which candidate selection, electoral administration and voting outcomes may be challenged in court. Consistent procedure, transparent decisions and respect for judicial boundaries will be central to public trust in the process.
