CJN Kekere-Ekun seeks laws to strengthen judicial independence, anti-curruption mechanisms

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has called on the legislature to enact laws that would strengthen judicial independence, anti-corruption mechanisms and streamline court process, even as she affirmed the Supreme Court’s unwavering commitment to reform, transparency, and judicial excellence.

The Chief Judges’ admonitions follows the commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year with a special session held in Abuja on Monday.

Speaking at a Supreme Court ceremony to mark the legal year, which also featured the swearing-in of 57 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), the CJN atasked the executive arm of government, especially in the states to provide adequate funding for the judiciary, improve judicial infrastructure and support the implementation of technological advancement.

She expressed worry that the judiciary, especially at the sub-national level is often underfunded, which she noted, impacts it’s ability to function effectively noting however that, the challenges facing the judiciary require a collaborative effort involving all the three arms of government as well as the active participation of the citizens.

Justice Kekere-Ekun also highlighted sweeping reforms implemented to sanitize the judiciary, reduce delays, and restore public confidence.

Key among these, she said, were the restructuring of the Supreme Court’s litigation department, the digitization of court records, and the creation of specialized units such as the case continuation unit and the central information unit.

The CJN revealed that strict internal controls, file tracking systems, and digitized court processes have significantly reduced incidences of missing files and third-party interference in court scheduling.

At the National Judicial Council, NJC, Justice Kekere-Ekun said, every pending petition against judicial officers had been thoroughly reviewed and disciplinary actions were taken where necessary, while the innocents were exonerated, adding that the NJC barred a “notorious serial petitioner” from submitting further petitions after multiple frivolous claims.

The Supreme Court, the CJN said, has adopted a new electronic filing system integrated into the Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS), a nationwide platform designed to eliminate delays and enhance transparency in case handling.

“This digital integration will significantly enhance the Court’s capacity to retrieve, track and manage every aspect of an appeal,” the CJN said, adding that a Practice Direction for stakeholders would be issued soon.

She applauded the efforts of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee, COTRIMCO, chaired by retired Justice Suleiman Galadima, for its role in fast-tracking corruption trials and disclosed that, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured 1,417 convictions in the first two quarters of 2025, while the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, ICPC, initiated 43 cases and secured 9 convictions.

The CJN said, in the 2024/2025 legal year, the Supreme Court considered a total of 2,280 matters, including 560 appeals and 1,720 motions and delivered 369 judgments, up from 247 in the previous year, marking a 49 percent increase.

“This improvement is the outcome of deliberate measures including innovative case management and enhanced judicial capacity,” the CJN noted and congratulated the 57 newly elevated SANs, describing their conferment as a recognition of “dedicated service and commitment to the rule of law.

“Your achievement is a powerful testament to the triumph of talent over adversity,” she said and reminded the new SANs that the rank is a privilege, not a right, and warned that it can be withdrawn if abused.

In his speech at the occasion, the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN tackled head-on the judiciary’s declining public image, noting that allegations of corruption, inconsistent rulings, and delays were eroding public trust.

“It is quite concerning to see the adverse ratings and negative perception indexes of our judiciary. The judiciary should discharge its accountability by being principled, independent and impartial”, he said and noted that justice must be done and seen to be done in an atmosphere that serves both parties.

Fagbemi, however, commended the judiciary for its constitutional interventions and highlighted notable judgments delivered in the past legal year, including key decisions on anti-corruption agencies and the limits of federal legislative powers.

The AGF, who praised the CJN for her swift efforts to reform the judiciary since her confirmation in September 2024, cited the Supreme Court’s pivotal rulings in the cases of AG Kogi State v. AG Federation and AG Lagos State v. AG Federation, which respectively affirmed the constitutional powers of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies and declared lotteries as a state not federal—legislative matter.

“These decisions resonated across the Federation while strengthening our constitutional democracy,” Fagbemi said and urged the new silks to be “architects of reform” and “defenders of judicial clarity,” emphasising that their conduct must reflect the noblest ideals of the legal profession.

Quoting a Yoruba proverb, he warned, “Ti abuku baji laaro, ile eni to l’oruko lo nlo abi lo nwa”—a cautionary note that disgrace seeks out those with reputation first. He stressed that SANs must not assume immunity from disciplinary actions, warning that “we simply cannot have a Bar where one law applies to juniors and another to seniors.”

Fagbemi also highlighted efforts by the Federal Ministry of Justice to decongest Nigeria’s custodial centres, review outdated laws, and collaborate with state governments on justice sector improvements.