2027 Elections: CJN Warns Judges, Lawyers Against Conduct That Could Undermine Judiciary

ABUJA — Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has cautioned judges who may serve on election petition tribunals ahead of the 2027 general elections to maintain strict impartiality, restraint and detachment.

The CJN issued the warning while speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the 2026/2027 legal year of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).

She said some judges of the National Industrial Court could be called upon to serve on election petition tribunals and would be required to determine politically sensitive disputes that would attract significant public attention.

Kekere-Ekun said judges must be mindful that their conduct would be closely scrutinised, warning them against actions or associations that could create the perception of political alignment.

She said: “As we approach another electoral season, these responsibilities assume even greater importance.

“Some of Your Lordships may, in accordance with the applicable constitutional and legal framework, be called upon to serve as members of Election Petition Tribunals.

“In that capacity, Your Lordships will be called upon to decide politically sensitive disputes which attract considerable public attention.

“The nature of such assignments therefore demands an even greater degree of impartiality, restraint and detachment.

“Whether sitting in this Court or performing a Tribunal assignment, you must remain conscious that your conduct will be closely scrutinized.

“You must ensure that nothing in your associations, public engagements or other conduct creates a reasonable perception of political alignment or predisposition.”

The CJN also warned lawyers against allowing the legal profession to be used to manipulate judicial processes for partisan or strategic interests.

“The Bar must never become an instrument through which the judicial process is manipulated for partisan or strategic purposes.

“The proper forum is determined by law, not by the perceived likelihood of success before a particular Judge or court,” she said.

She further called for restraint in public commentary on judicial matters, saying criticism of judgments should not degenerate into personal attacks against judges or deliberate misrepresentation of court proceedings.

“There is also a need for restraint in public commentary. The right to criticise a judgment or judicial process does not extend to personal attacks on Judges, deliberate misrepresentation of proceedings or attempts to bring pressure to bear on the Court through public opinion.

“Where there are genuine concerns about judicial conduct, the appropriate institutional channels remain available and should be used,” the CJN added.

AI Must Not Replace Lawyers’ Responsibility

Kekere-Ekun also warned lawyers about relying on Artificial Intelligence, noting that although AI could serve as a useful research tool, it could also generate fabricated or inaccurate legal authorities.

“An AI system may produce an answer that appears authoritative, complete with names of parties, citations, quotations and even a seemingly convincing account of the decision.

“That does not make the authority genuine. A non-existent case, an incorrectly stated decision or a quotation attributed to a judgment in which it does not appear has no place in a court process

“For counsel, the consequences can be serious,” the CJN warned.

NICN Records 2,236 Case Disposals

Meanwhile, NICN President Justice Benedict Kanyip said the court disposed of 2,236 cases across its Judicial Divisions during the last legal year.

He said the achievement significantly reduced the court’s longstanding backlog despite the heavy workload faced by judges.

“Despite the pressure occasioned by this, my colleagues, in their characteristic manner, demonstrated unwavering commitment to duty and concluded significant numbers of these cases.

“I am pleased to report that through the dedication of our judges, we achieved a significant increase in case disposal rates compared to previous years.”

Kanyip, however, expressed concern over the low number of cases being referred to the court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre.

According to him, just 31 cases were referred to the ADR Centre across the court’s Judicial Divisions during the past year.

“We must note that ADR is a valid and special component of, especially, labour justice delivery. Judicial efficiency cannot rely on litigation alone.

“Despite our efforts to promote ADR in the Court, we have not received any reciprocity in that regard from litigants and their counsel,” he stated.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, pledged continued Federal Government support for the NICN.

NBA President Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, said Nigerian labour jurisprudence must continue to evolve while remaining anchored on the rule of law.

The event, which was preceded by the commissioning of the NICN headquarters building, was attended by former CJNs Justices Mahmud Mohammed and Walter Onnoghen, Court of Appeal President Justice Monica Dongbam-Mensen, several Senior Advocates of Nigeria and other legal practitioners.

Africans Angle News