The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has reiterated her commitment to enhance reforms in the judiciary for efficient and effective justice administration in the country.
Kekere-Ekun stated this on Monday during a ceremony to swear in 57 new senior advocates of Nigeria (SANs) at the Supreme Court in Abuja.
She also restated her resolve to ensure transparency and judicial excellence as the apex court commenced the 2025/2026 legal year.
The CJN also called on the legislature to enact laws that would strengthen judicial independence, anti-corruption mechanisms and streamline court processes.
She called on the executive arm of government, especially in the states, to provide adequate funding for the judiciary, improve judicial infrastructure and support the implementation of technological advancement.
She expressed concern that the judiciary, especially at the sub-national level, was underfunded.
The CJN said this would have a negative effect on the ability of the judiciary to function effectively.
Kekere-Ekun, however, said that the challenges facing the judiciary required a collaborative effort of all the three arms of government, as well as the active participation of the citizens.
She highlighted some reforms implemented to sanitise the justice sector, reduce delay and restore public confidence.
She said these include the restructuring of the apex court’s litigation department, the digitisation of court records and the creation of specialised units such as the Case Continuation Unit and the Central Information Unit.
The CJN said in the 2024/2025 legal year, the Supreme Court considered a total of 2,280 matters, including 560 appeals and 1,720 motions and delivered 369 judgments, up from 247 in the previous year, marking a 49 per cent increase.
Also speaking, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, urged members of the judiciary to be impartial and independent in their decisions.
“It is quite concerning to see the adverse ratings and negative perception indexes of our judiciary.
“The judiciary should discharge its accountability by being principled, independent and impartial.”
Fagbemi said justice must be done and seen to be done in an atmosphere that serves all parties.
He, however, commended the judiciary for its constitutional interventions and highlighted notable judgments delivered in the past legal year.
He praised the CJN for her swift efforts to reforming the judiciary since her confirmation in September 2024.
NAN reports that the SAN title is the highest honour conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria, reserved for lawyers who have attained exceptional distinction in the legal profession, either as advocates in the courtroom or as academics.
Among those sworn in are the Secretary to Nasarawa State Government and former federal prosecutor, Shuaibu Labaran.
The list also has Olanrewaju Akinsola, a commercial litigation and tax advisory expert, legal historian and publisher of the Onigegewura blog with unique focus of telling stories from old high-profile court cases through lucid writing.
Also on the list is Preye Agedah, a former Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice.
Another notable name is Chima Ubanyionwu, a legal scholar and former chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Aguata Branch, who was selected under the academic category.
