The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has cautioned judges and legal practitioners against actions that could compromise the integrity of the judiciary as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Kekere-Ekun gave the warning on Monday during a special session of the Supreme Court in Abuja to mark the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year.
She stressed that courts must approach election-related disputes with fairness, impartiality and strict adherence to the law, noting that judicial decisions during the political period would attract public scrutiny.
“Elections inevitably generate heightened political activity and strong emotions. They also bring before the courts disputes that may have significant consequences for individuals, political parties and the country.
Judicial officers must remain conscious that every word they speak and every action they take during an electoral period will be subjected to scrutiny.
They must therefore exercise restraint, avoid political association or conduct capable of creating an appearance of partiality and remain firmly within the boundaries imposed by their oath and the Constitution,” the CJN stated.
The CJN also expressed concern over forum shopping, a practice in which litigants deliberately approach courts they believe may favour their cases or file multiple suits seeking similar remedies.
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She warned that such practices could lead to conflicting court orders, disrupt judicial proceedings and damage the reputation of the judiciary.
“There is also a need for greater professional responsibility by lawyers in the institution of proceedings arising from political and electoral disputes.
“Forum shopping, whether by the deliberate choice of commencing an action in a court or division perceived to be more favourable to a particular party or by the institution of multiple proceedings seeking substantially similar reliefs, can result in conflicting orders, undermine orderly judicial process and expose the Judiciary to avoidable embarrassment.
“It can also create the unfortunate impression that parties are seeking not justice according to law but a particular outcome from a particular court,” she said.
Kekere-Ekun urged lawyers to exercise professional restraint when filing political and electoral cases, especially where related matters were already before other courts.
She further cautioned that the growing volume of political litigation should not prevent other cases from receiving timely judicial attention.
“There is, moreover, a broader institutional concern. It does not augur well for our judicial system or the administration of justice if the courts become so overwhelmed by political disputes that other cases in their dockets are consequently delayed or denied the timely attention they require.
“The judiciary must remain available to all litigants, and the urgency or public prominence of political litigation should not come at the expense of other legitimate claims awaiting determination,” she stated.