Ahead of the 2027 general election, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has cautioned judges to be careful in their handling of election-related matters.

She advised them to stop granting conflicting decisions, encouraging forum shopping, and abuse of ex parte orders, among others.

The CJN spoke yesterday in Abuja at the opening of the 2025/2026 legal year of the Federal High Court and the court’s 41st annual judges’ conference.

She said: “As we look ahead to the 2027 general election, the Judiciary will once again be called upon to play a stabilising national role.

“Election-related disputes must be handled with discipline, consistency, and strict adherence to constitutional and statutory timelines.

“The nation looks to the courts for clarity and balance at such critical moments. This court has a crucial role to play in pre-election dispute resolution.

“Conflicting interim orders, forum shopping, and the abuse of ex parte processes undermine the credibility of the entire justice system and weaken public confidence.

“Heads of divisions must, therefore, enforce procedural discipline firmly and fairly.

“The Judiciary must never be perceived as a theatre for political gamesmanship; it must remain a sanctuary of constitutional order.”

Justice Kekere-Ekun also urged judges to prevent delays and judicial officers to actively manage cases and guide proceedings.

The CJN said the National Judicial Council (NJC) would continue to strengthen oversight of case progression to support efficiency and institutional discipline.

She stressed that the Judiciary was committed to improving the working conditions, infrastructure, research support and safety of judicial officers.

According to her, a judge who feels insecure cannot dispense justice confidently.

The CJN noted that unpredictable or inefficient court processes could undermine even well-reasoned judgments, emphasising that punctuality, consistency in court sittings, and transparent communication with litigants and counsel are essential components of justice delivery.

“Our judgments constitute our voice, and the manner in which we discharge our duties defines the authority and credibility of that voice,” she stated.

Justice Kekere-Ekun said there is a need for judicial independence that is anchored on responsibility, courage, and moral clarity.

The CJN praised judges of the Federal High Court for continuing to discharge their duties with professionalism, despite mounting pressure and public scrutiny.

For the Justice sector’s reforms to achieve their goals, Justice Kekere-Ekun said digitisation is no longer optional but a core institutional priority.

The CJN called for the expansion of virtual hearings, e-filing, electronic case tracking and secure digital records to enhance speed, accountability and public trust in the courts.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, expressed delight about the court’s performance in the past legal year, in its efforts to enhance efficient and effective service delivery.

Justice Tsoho stated that at the end of the 2023/2024 legal year, a total of 161,999 cases were pending and carried over to the 2024/2025 legal year, adding that within the period, a total of 19,925 cases were filed, which brought the total number of pending cases to 181,924.

“From this number, a total of 16,019 were disposed of, leaving 165,905 pending cases,” he said.

Justice Tsoho added that of the 16,019 cases disposed of, 3,113 were civil cases, 5,818 were criminal cases, 3,724 were motions, and 3,364 were fundamental human rights cases.

The chief judge said a total of 44,650 civil cases, 44,078 criminal cases, 46,228 motions, and 30,949 fundamental rights enforcement applications remained pending at the end of the last legal year.

He announced that the process of appointing 14 additional judges to the Bench of the court had reached an advanced stage following the approval and support of the CJN and the chairman of the NJC.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), said the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court over matters that define the country’s economic, regulatory and constitutional framework places it at the centre of national development and investor confidence.

Osigwe urged judges of the court to remain vigilant against any actual or perceived political capture or manipulation.

The NBA president added that any perception that judicial processes are shaped by partisanship undermines the foundation of the rule of law.

He said the Judiciary must guard its independence with utmost vigilance as its authority rests not on force but on public confidence in its neutrality.

Osigwe said the Federal High Court must insist that its jurisdiction cannot be manipulated as a substitute for political will, party leadership, party discipline or internal democracy adding that, “Not every quarrel within a political party is justiciable and not every grievance constitutes a legal dispute.

“The court’s docket should not become a political theatre or a stagging ground for political leadership or factional dominance,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (BOSAN), Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) urged judges to be bold, strong and of good courage in the discharge of their duties.

He added: “The Law is what the judges say,” he said.

Agabi noted that the dominance of one political party as it is now, which has virtually eliminated opposition, makes the work of the Judiciary more urgent and important.

He urged judges to be bold, honest, and innovative in the adjudication of political matters as the hope of the nation is in the judiciary.

Source; The Nation News