Chief Justice warns Nigerian judges to avoid pressure and forum shopping before 2027 elections

Chief Justice cautions judges ahead of 2027 elections

Speaking in Abuja on 27 October 2026, Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Kudirat Kekere‑Ekun, addressed the launch of the 2026 Roundtable for Heads of Courts, an event hosted by the National Judicial Institute. She warned judges, especially court heads, that election‑related disputes will attract intense public interest and pressure, and that they must remain impartial and strictly follow the law.

Kekere‑Ekun highlighted the dangers of forum shopping, concealment of related proceedings and attempts to secure conflicting orders. She urged judicial officers to scrutinise applications carefully, insist on full disclosure of facts, and resist urgent applications or ex‑parte orders that could give an improper advantage. The Chief Justice emphasized that the fairness of legal processes should remain free from the influence of rival political agendas or external pressures.

She further voiced worry regarding the slow pace of case resolutions, characterizing the prompt administration of justice as an urgent issue. According to her remarks, such procrastination places significant monetary and psychological strain on those involved in litigation, reduces the real-world benefit of legal redress, and erodes trust in the judicial system.

Background

The 2027 general elections are approaching, and election‑related disputes are expected to rise. In the past, such cases have attracted significant public scrutiny and sometimes political pressure on the courts. Forum shopping – where litigants move cases between courts to seek a favourable outcome – has been identified as a practice that undermines consistency and exposes the judiciary to controversy.

The National Judicial Institute organised the 2026 Roundtable for Heads of Courts to discuss administrative arrangements for handling election‑related cases. The Chief Justice’s remarks come as part of a broader effort to prepare the judiciary for politically sensitive cases and to reinforce the importance of impartiality, courage and fidelity to the law.

Why it matters

The judiciary’s ability to handle election disputes impartially is crucial for maintaining public confidence in the electoral process. Delays in resolving such cases can lead to financial and emotional hardship for litigants and reduce the effectiveness of judicial remedies. By warning against forum shopping and political pressure, the Chief Justice aims to preserve the integrity of the legal system during a period of heightened political activity.

What happens next

The Chief Justice urged court leaders to put in place suitable administrative frameworks to ensure that election disputes are processed promptly and systematically. While no specific dates or procedural changes were announced, the emphasis on procedural safeguards and the need to resist attempts to circumvent established judicial processes suggests that courts will review and potentially tighten their internal procedures in the lead‑up to the 2027 elections.