Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun: Lawyers Who Comment on Ongoing Court Matters Will Be Dealt With

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has issued a strong warning to lawyers who publicly comment on cases currently under judicial consideration, asserting that such behavior will not be tolerated and offenders will face decisive action.

Kekere-Ekun made these remarks during her screening before the Senate on Wednesday, in response to concerns raised by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Akpabio highlighted the troubling trend of lawyers discussing ongoing court cases on social media and television, questioning whether there would be consequences for these actions. In her response, the CJN stated, “Lawyers who comment on ongoing court matters will be dealt with.”

Emphasizing the importance of maintaining judicial integrity, Kekere-Ekun reiterated that social media commentary would not influence the decisions of judges under her leadership. “We have taken an oath to perform our duties without fear or favor, and we will not be influenced by social media,” she remarked, acknowledging the negative portrayal of the judiciary that often arises from online discussions.

Kekere-Ekun also outlined her commitment to upholding the integrity of the judicial system by enforcing the code of conduct for judicial officers and ensuring their welfare. “Integrity and discipline are my hallmarks,” she declared. She promised to expedite the handling of petitions within the National Judicial Council (NJC) to maintain the integrity of the judiciary and protect it from external influences.

Expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the recent salary increases for judicial officers, Kekere-Ekun emphasized that further improvements in their welfare are still necessary.

Additionally, she advocated for limiting the types of cases that reach the Supreme Court, describing it as a “policy court.” She suggested that such measures could help alleviate the backlog of cases currently facing the apex court.