Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun says judicial officers must protect both actual impartiality and public confidence as election litigation approaches.
Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has urged judges to maintain strict political neutrality ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that their decisions, associations and public conduct will be closely scrutinized.
She delivered the message at a special sitting marking the 2026/2027 legal year of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria and the commissioning of its headquarters in Abuja.
The chief justice said some judges could be appointed to election petition tribunals and would therefore need to exercise exceptional restraint when handling politically sensitive disputes. Judicial decisions, she stressed, must rest on the Constitution, legislation, binding precedent and established legal principles.
Kekere-Ekun warned judges to avoid engagements or relationships that could create a reasonable perception of political alignment, even where no actual bias existed. She also reminded lawyers of their duty to protect the integrity of proceedings.
She criticized forum shopping and parallel litigation intended to secure a more favorable court or conflicting orders. Such tactics, she said, damaged public confidence and exposed the judiciary to avoidable controversy.
The chief justice urged commentators to distinguish legitimate criticism of judicial decisions from personal attacks or attempts to pressure courts. Complaints about misconduct, she said, should be pursued through established institutional channels.
Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, represented by Director of Civil Appeal Tijani Gazali, praised the industrial court’s electronic filing and service system but said technology alone could not overcome delays. Effective case management, adequate staffing and professional discipline remained essential.
President of the National Industrial Court Benedict Kanyip reported that the court had disposed of 2,236 cases across its divisions in the preceding 12 months, reducing its historical backlog. He said the new headquarters would bring Abuja-based judges together and allow attention to shift to staff welfare and other operational needs.
With election-related litigation likely to attract intense public attention, the chief justice’s warning centered on the need for judicial independence to be visible in both decisions and conduct.
