The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned judicial officers against forum shopping, conflicting court orders and the abuse of ex parte proceedings as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
The CJN gave the warning at the opening of the 2026 Roundtable for Heads of Courts, organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.
She expressed concern that attempts by litigants to obtain favourable decisions from different courts of coordinate jurisdiction could undermine judicial consistency, encourage abuse of court processes and weaken public confidence in the Judiciary.
CJN Demands Strict Compliance with Court Procedures
Justice Kekere-Ekun urged heads of courts to ensure that election-related disputes are handled impartially, expeditiously and in strict compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and applicable rules of court.
She called on judges to scrutinise applications carefully, insist on full disclosure of relevant facts and consider related proceedings before granting urgent reliefs or ex parte orders.
According to the CJN, political sensitivity, public sentiment and the urgency attached to a case must not displace established legal principles.
She stressed that no litigant should be permitted to manipulate judicial procedures in pursuit of a favourable outcome.
Punctuality and Respect for Court Users
The CJN also called for stronger administrative supervision to address persistent lateness among judicial officers and improve communication with lawyers and litigants.
She noted that court users sometimes travel considerable distances and incur expenses only to discover that proceedings have been cancelled without adequate notice.
She urged court authorities to establish reliable systems for communicating changes to scheduled sittings and to ensure that litigants are treated with dignity.
The CJN further emphasised that judges must combine firmness in courtroom management with fairness, composure and professional courtesy.
Her remarks place judicial integrity, procedural discipline and efficient case management at the centre of preparations for the next electoral cycle.
As election-related litigation increases, compliance with court procedures and the avoidance of conflicting orders will remain important to the credibility of judicial dispute resolution.
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