Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to uphold the rule of law and safeguard the rights and freedoms of citizens.
Kekere-Ekun pledged that the courts would remain “fair, impartial, and incorruptible” despite mounting pressures.
Speaking in Abuja at the Supreme Court during a special session to mark the start of the 2025/2026 legal year, Justice Kekere-Ekun said: “We shall remain firmly committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting the rights and freedoms of our citizens, and ensuring that justice is not only done but is manifestly seen to be done.”
She acknowledged the challenges confronting the courts—from election-related disputes and constitutional battles to the surge in commercial litigation—but insisted public trust in the judiciary must never be compromised.
“The Nigerian people look to us to be fair, impartial, and incorruptible. Our strength lies in our independence, and we must exercise that independence with responsibility and accountability,” she stressed.
The Chief Justice also highlighted the Supreme Court’s heavy workload, revealing that in the last legal year, it handled 1,124 cases and delivered 247 judgments and rulings.
Despite widespread concerns about delays, she said reforms were under way, including stricter case management, greater use of technology, and procedural changes to speed up justice delivery.
At the ceremony, 57 lawyers were formally elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Justice Kekere-Ekun urged them to treat the honour as “a burden of trust” and a call to leadership rather than a licence for privilege.
Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, echoed the call for reform, stressing that the government would drive digitisation to reduce delays and restore confidence in the courts.
“This administration is committed to a justice sector that is modern, responsive, and fully digitised. We cannot continue with practices that drag cases endlessly and frustrate litigants,” he said.
He also reminded the new SANs that their elevation carried responsibility, saying “the privilege you enjoy must be matched with humility, ethical discipline, and dedication to the service of justice.”
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Senior legal statesman, Chief Wole Olanipekun praised the judiciary’s achievements but warned that conflicting judgments continued to damage its reputation.
He also urged lawyers and litigants to stop what he called unfair attacks on judges, which, he argued, undermine the justice system.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe called for deeper collaboration between the bench and the bar to tackle long-standing problems of delay, access, and transparency.
He noted that lawyers had a duty not only to advocate for clients but also to strengthen faith in the justice system.
Hauwa Abu