The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed its commitment to enhance the administration of justice and improve public perception of the Nigerian judiciary.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun stated this during the special court session to mark the commencement of the 2024/2025 legal year.
Justice Kekerw-Ekun said under her leadership, the judiciary will adhere to the principles of honesty, transparency, and integrity.
“The Supreme Court and the entire Nigerian judiciary as a whole have fared well in the past legal year, thanks to the prayers, advice, and support of well-meaning Nigerians.
“As the new legal year unfolds, we look forward to building a judiciary that will be the pride of Nigerians both at home and abroad,” she said.
After swearing in the 87 new Senior Advocates, the CJN urged them to uphold the standard of integrity and professionalism in the legal profession.
She highlighted the importance of mentoring younger lawyers, fostering collaboration, and promoting access to justice for all.
“I encourage litigants to embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to ease the burden on our courts.
“The culture of litigating every disagreement and appealing every lost case, no matter how trivial, contributes significantly to the backlog of pending appeals in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
“This trajectory is unsustainable for a nation striving for economic development and human capital growth,” she added.
The CJN also highlighted the need for continued legal reform and innovation to adapt to the evolving societal challenges, encouraging advocates to actively participate in shaping public policy through legal expertise and to be role models in nurturing ethical legal practices.
While speaking, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, assured the judicial sector of the administration’s commitment to upholding judicial decisions and prioritizing the rule of law.
”The nobility of our legal profession demands an unwavering commitment to the principles of fairness, equality, and the pursuit of excellence in values that we hold dear,” Fagbemi said.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Afam Osigwe advocated for the computerization of litigation processes including the recording of court proceedings.
“We must, therefore, explore innovative solutions to make justice more affordable and accessible, such as the greater use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms and the digitization of court processes.
“Another pressing area of reform is the reduction of the backlog of cases.
“The reality is that our courts are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cases, leading to significant delays in justice delivery.
“As a nation, we must embrace the modernization of our court systems, including the use of technology to expedite case management and reduce unnecessary delays.
We must also reduce the number and types of appeals that come to this Court,” Osigwe said.
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