Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, as the incoming Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), faces a judiciary grappling with significant challenges that demand urgent attention.
Development Diaries reports that Justice Kekere-Ekun succeeds Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the head of Nigeria’s judiciary, as the latter is set to retire after reaching the statutory retirement age of 70.
While we applaud her appointment as she is the first female to assume the position for the first time since 2014, key issues are undermining the judiciary’s institutional integrity, effectiveness and service delivery waiting for her attention.
One of the issues is the alleged corruption within the judiciary, which undermines public trust in the legal system. It is no longer news that Nigerians do not trust the judiciary, which is meant to be the last hope of the common man. This has changed.
Allegations of bribery, influence-peddling, and compromised judgments have tainted the reputation of the judiciary, leading to a loss of confidence in its ability to deliver impartial and fair justice.
The new CJN would need to spearhead efforts to restore integrity and transparency in the judicial process, ensuring that judges and judicial officers are held to the highest ethical standards.
Another critical challenge is the backlog of cases that has plagued the Nigerian courts for years.
According to a report by The Guardian, there are a total of 198,432 cases pending at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) magistracy, federal and appeal courts.
Also, according to the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), 54,124 inmates have been awaiting trial across Nigeria since February 2024.
The judiciary is overwhelmed with an enormous number of pending cases, resulting in significant delays in the administration of justice. This delay frustrates litigants and contributes to the erosion of public confidence in the legal system.
Justice Kekere-Ekun needs to prioritise judicial reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the courts, such as the adoption of technology in case management and the expansion of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to alleviate the pressure on the formal court system.
Lastly, the independence of the judiciary remains a pressing concern, with frequent allegations of executive interference in judicial matters.
The judiciary must remain free from political influence to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of citizens. Justice Kekere-Ekun will need to assert the judiciary’s autonomy, ensuring that judicial decisions are made solely on the basis of law and evidence, without external pressure.
Strengthening the judiciary’s financial independence and advocating for the implementation of constitutional provisions that guarantee judicial autonomy will be essential in safeguarding the integrity of the Nigerian legal system under her leadership.
Development Diaries calls on Justice Kekere-Ekun, as one who has been entrusted with the highest judicial responsibility at a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s history, to lead with unwavering integrity, ensure the independence of the judiciary, and prioritise justice for all Nigerians, regardless of status or affiliation.
We also urge her to ensure her leadership reflects a commitment to upholding the rule of law and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s legal system.