Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed heads of courts across the country to implement strict mechanisms ensuring judges sit on time and that litigants and lawyers are promptly notified if any sittings are canceled.
Delivering her opening address at the 2026 Roundtable for Heads of Courts held at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja on Monday, the CJN emphasized that punctuality must be treated as a professional obligation rather than a personal preference. She condemned situations where legal practitioners and parties travel long distances at great expense only to discover upon arrival that courts will not sit.
Addressing the political climate as the nation approaches the upcoming election cycle, Justice Kekere-Ekun strongly warned judicial heads to remain vigilant against forum shopping, the concealment of related proceedings, and attempts to secure conflicting orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction. She noted that such practices undermine consistency and expose the judiciary to public controversy, stressing that election-related matters must be handled competently and strictly according to the law.
Furthermore, the CJN called for enhanced docket management, merit-based judicial appointments free from external pressure, and the adoption of digital transformation initiatives like the Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS) to curb unnecessary trial delays.
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