Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned judges who may serve on election petition tribunals ahead of the 2027 general elections to remain impartial and avoid conduct that could create the impression of political allegiance.
The CJN gave the warning on Wednesday during the flag-off of the 2026/2027 legal year of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja. She noted that some judges could, in line with the law, be appointed to serve on election petition tribunals.
Kekere-Ekun said election-related cases were politically sensitive and likely to attract significant public attention, making neutrality, restraint and detachment particularly important.
She warned judges to ensure that their associations, public engagements and other conduct did not create a reasonable perception that they were aligned with, or predisposed towards, any political group.
The CJN also stressed that judges would be closely scrutinised both when sitting in their regular courts and when carrying out tribunal duties.
CJN cautions lawyers over forum shopping
Kekere-Ekun also cautioned lawyers against filing similar cases in different courts or divisions in an attempt to secure a favourable outcome.
She said parallel proceedings could result in conflicting judgments, damage public confidence in the judiciary and expose the institution to avoidable criticism.
According to her, lawyers must not allow the judicial process to be manipulated for partisan or strategic purposes, stressing that the appropriate court should be determined by law rather than the perceived likelihood of success before a particular judge.
She further called for restraint in public commentary on judicial proceedings.
The CJN said while lawyers and litigants had the right to criticise judgments and judicial processes, such criticism should not become personal attacks on judges, deliberate misrepresentation of court proceedings or attempts to pressure the judiciary through public opinion.
She advised those with genuine complaints about judicial conduct to use the appropriate institutional channels.
Warning over AI-generated legal authorities
The CJN also cautioned lawyers against relying blindly on artificial intelligence when preparing court processes.
While acknowledging that AI could be useful as a research tool, she warned that it could generate apparently convincing but false legal authorities, including non-existent cases, incorrect decisions and quotations that do not appear in actual
