Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned judges handling the 2027 election petitions against political pressure, intimidation and compromising fair hearing in the pursuit of speedy justice.
Kekere-Ekun gave the warning on Monday while swearing in 375 judges as members of the 2027 election petition tribunals during a capacity-building workshop organised by the Court of Appeal.
She cautioned judicial officers against allowing public expectations, political interests or social media campaigns to influence their decisions, stressing that election disputes must be determined strictly on the basis of evidence and the law.
The CJN also warned lawyers against filing multiple suits and seeking conflicting court orders in election-related disputes, describing such practices as capable of undermining the administration of justice.
She particularly cautioned against the use of ex parte applications to secure tactical advantages, saying such actions could bring the judiciary into disrepute.
“The urgency of these matters, however, must never become an excuse for compromising the right of any party to a fair hearing,” she said.
Kekere-Ekun urged the judges to ensure strict compliance with constitutional and statutory timelines while protecting the rights of all parties involved in election disputes.
She also cautioned political parties, candidates, supporters and public officials against making comments capable of prejudicing pending cases or intimidating judicial officers.
According to her, public pronouncements on the merits of pending proceedings could create unnecessary tension and undermine confidence in the justice system.
The CJN further urged citizens and media organisations to exercise caution in their use of social media, particularly in sharing unverified allegations and commenting on ongoing election disputes.
She said online campaigns directed at judicial officers could distort public understanding and create the impression that cases were determined by public sentiment rather than evidence and the law.
“Criticism of judicial decisions, when informed and responsibly expressed, is a legitimate feature of democratic discourse; however, misinformation, intimidation and attempts to prejudice pending proceedings have no place in a society governed by the rule of law,” she said.
FULL List: 68 lawyers sworn in as SAN by CJN
Kekere-Ekun urged the judges to remain guided by their judicial oath, courage and impartiality, irrespective of public expectations or political pressure.
She also called on legal practitioners to approach election litigation with professionalism and candour, noting that their responsibility extended beyond advancing their clients’ interests to respecting the administration of justice.
The CJN said credible elections required the collective responsibility of electoral management bodies, political parties, security agencies, legal practitioners and the judiciary.
Also speaking, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, said the manner in which electoral disputes were adjudicated often determined whether political contests were resolved peacefully within the constitutional framework or descended into uncertainty.
Fagbemi said the effectiveness of election tribunals depended not only on the competence of judicial members but also on the efficiency of their registries and the quality of administrative support.
He warned that inexperienced or inadequately equipped registrars could affect the timely and smooth conduct of proceedings, regardless of the competence of tribunal members.
The AGF urged the judges to remain guided by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and established principles of justice, stressing the importance of sound legal analysis and evidence.
He said the Electoral Act 2026 introduced reforms aimed at strengthening electoral transparency, promoting internal party democracy, modernising electoral administration and redefining the framework for electoral disputes.
According to him, the effectiveness of the reforms would depend on enforcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission, compliance by political parties and judicial interpretation.
The three-day workshop, themed “Election Tribunal as a Tool for Political Stability,” also featured the formal presentation of the second edition of the Judicial Electoral Manual by the CJN.
The manual is designed to provide judicial officers with updated constitutional provisions, electoral legislation, practice directions and judicial decisions relevant to the determination of election petitions.
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