The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called for the timely release of funds appropriated for the Judiciary, warning that delays in disbursement undermine judicial independence, infrastructure development and the effective administration of justice.
The CJN made the call at the special session of the Supreme Court marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year in Abuja. The event also marked the swearing in of 68 new Senior Advocates Of Nigeria.
The CJN stressed that judicial independence must go beyond constitutional provisions and be backed by adequate funding, modern facilities and proper working conditions.
Both judicial officers and legal practitioners have are cautioning against conducts capable of undermining public confidence in the Judiciary ahead of another electoral season in Nigeria.
The CJN at the new legal year event, warned lawyers against forum shopping, multiple proceedings seeking similar reliefs and the use of social media to intimidate judicial officers and lawyers.
While disclosing the implementation of the Nigerian Case Management System to improve the handling of cases, by the apex Court, Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that the Court handled 2,456 matters during the 2025/2026 Legal Year and delivered 411 judgments.
The Supreme Court noted that it has1,385 matters for regular sittings, including 733 old cases brought forward for hearing.
To the new conferees, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, stated that the silk gown is not a commercial license.
Fagbemi harped on the need to modernise the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to strengthen the profession’s disciplinary processes.
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(Editor: Ken Eseni)
