As Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun prepares to assume the role of Chief Justice of Nigeria, senior lawyers, activists, and key stakeholders in the nation’s justice system have called for a fundamental overhaul of the judiciary. This collective demand for reform underscores the urgent need to restore public trust and ensure the judiciary fulfills its role as a pillar of justice and equity.
At a roundtable discussion held in Abuja on Tuesday, prominent voices in the legal community, including law professors Ernest Ojukwu (SAN) and Samuel Erugo (SAN), alongside activist Aisha Yesufu, criticized the current state of Nigeria’s judiciary. The panelists emphasized that a comprehensive reform is essential to revitalize the justice system, which has been marred by allegations of corruption, nepotism, and inconsistent rulings.
Professor Ojukwu urged the incoming Chief Justice to focus on restoring public confidence in the judiciary by adhering to principles of equity, fairness, and justice. He highlighted the importance of maintaining judicial integrity, particularly in election-related matters, where he advised that courts should refrain from influencing outcomes, allowing only legitimate winners to assume office.
Samuel Erugo (SAN) proposed that the Supreme Court be empowered to review its own decisions, especially in cases where there is significant public discontent. He argued that such a mechanism would enhance the judiciary’s responsiveness to the needs of the public and reinforce its role as the final arbiter of justice.
The panelists also addressed the issue of favoritism and nepotism in judicial appointments. They called on Justice Kekere-Ekun to reform the process of judge nominations to ensure that merit, rather than personal connections, determines who ascends to the bench. This, they argued, would help eliminate the perception of bias and restore faith in the judiciary’s independence.
Another critical area of concern raised during the discussion was the problem of contradictory rulings and orders from courts of coordinating jurisdiction. Stakeholders urged the incoming Chief Justice to prioritize the development of clear practice directions to manage jurisdictional overlaps. They suggested that these directions be uniformly applied across all court systems in the country, thereby reducing legal inconsistencies and enhancing the predictability of court decisions.
Financial accountability and transparency were also highlighted as key areas requiring immediate attention. Aisha Yesufu, a well-known activist, advocated for more robust financial reporting and the implementation of disciplinary procedures that are both prompt and proportionate to the severity of misconduct. She stressed that restoring public trust in the judiciary would require a commitment to greater openness and accountability in all aspects of its operations.
Mr. Martin Obono, Executive Director of Tap Initiative, drew attention to recent controversies surrounding the National Judicial Council (NJC), the body responsible for appointing judges. He noted allegations that the outgoing Chief Justice, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, had appointed relatives and family members of previous justices to the bench, in some cases even disregarding the NJC’s own selection criteria. Obono urged the incoming Chief Justice to commit to restoring integrity and merit to the judicial appointment process, suggesting that this could be achieved through transparent selection processes, including the public advertisement of vacancies, thorough interviews, and careful shortlisting of candidates.
Mr. Folarin Aluko, an attorney and member of the Nigerian Bar Association, echoed these sentiments, urging Justice Kekere-Ekun to take swift action to address the issue of inconsistent rulings and the misuse of temporary injunctions. He proposed that clear practice directions be established to manage overlaps in territorial jurisdiction, and that these directions be uniformly enforced across the country’s court systems.
As Justice Kekere-Ekun prepares to take the helm of Nigeria’s judiciary following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who has reached the mandatory retirement age of 70, the expectations for her leadership are high.
