Tap Initiative has published its one-year review of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun’s tenure, evaluating progress and challenges against its reform agenda launched in August 2024.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun assumed office as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in August 2024. A few days before then, civil society groups, senior legal experts, members of academia, and other reform advocates led by Tap Initiative outlined a specific and measurable agenda: end the abuse of ex-parte orders by politicians, enforce discipline within the judiciary, implement digital courts, and restore public trust amid ongoing allegations of corruption and bias. One year later, the verdict is clear: while the rhetoric has been loud, tangible reforms remain elusive.
Martin Obono, the Executive Director of Tap Initiative, said during a press briefing:
“While we commend her for overseeing the retirement of judges based on age and investigating allegations of falsified ages, her leadership style appears risk-averse, relying on speeches and moral persuasion rather than structural reforms. For a judiciary in crisis, this is insufficient.”
According to the review, Justice Kekere-Ekun’s first year has been characterized by a clear articulation of the judiciary’s challenges but limited evidence of systematic reform implementation.
Key observations include:
- Digital Transformation: The Chief Justice has consistently emphasized the need for e-filing, case management technology, and virtual hearings. However, there has been no nationwide rollout or measurable progress in digital court processes.
- Judicial Accountability: While the CJN has stated that the National Judicial Council (NJC) will discipline non-performing judges, no concrete disciplinary actions leading to deterrence have taken place. For instance, it is commendable that the NJC under her leadership recommended the compulsory retirement of the Chief Judge of Imo State and eight other judges in Imo for falsifying their dates of birth to extend their tenure, and sanctioned Justice T. N. Nzeukwu, who positioned himself to be sworn in as acting Chief Judge despite being fourth in the hierarchy. Similarly, the NJC suspended Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, for one year, placed him on a five-year watch-list, and barred him from elevation for delivering a ruling without hearing parties and ignoring a motion to set aside an ex parte proceeding. Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, was also suspended for one year without pay for issuing inappropriate ex parte orders to sell a petrol station and other assets at an interlocutory stage. While these measures are commendable, they are manifestly inadequate considering that many of these offenses are criminal. The CJN should have recommended prosecution by law enforcement agencies. This reflects the broader problem with judicial accountability: judges often receive a slap on the wrist rather than facing the serious consequences of criminal prosecution for criminal actions.
- Case Backlog: The CJN acknowledged over 243,000 pending cases in the higher courts. While the Supreme Court Rules 2024 provide for electronic filing, a fast-track procedure for specific criminal appeals, and tighter procedural timelines, there has been no clear strategy or progress update on reducing this backlog.
- Ex-parte Orders: Despite concerns about their misuse in political cases, no new guidelines or policy changes have been publicly announced addressing the issue. Obono added: “These guidelines are very important given that the 2027 general elections are around the corner and politicians and political parties will try to exploit the lacuna for their gains.”
- Appointments and Public Trust: While the former CJN engaged in processes marked by nepotism and corruption allegations, the current CJN has been cautious in this regard. However, there is no evidence of improved public trust in the judiciary since Justice Kekere-Ekun took office. Both objective surveys and the CJN’s statements affirm that confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary remains critically low.
- Judicial Independence: Judges are still subjected to the indignity of lining up to receive cars and houses procured for them by the Executive—mostly governors—in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
The review highlights that Justice Kekere-Ekun has utilized public platforms to articulate a vision for a more accountable and technologically advanced judiciary. Yet, Tap Initiative concludes that “the gap between identified priorities and visible outcomes remains significant.”
Tap Initiative stressed that the upcoming year will be crucial in translating policy commitments into practical reforms that bolster judicial integrity and efficiency.
It warns that unless urgent action is taken, the CJN risks being remembered as a “cautious caretaker presiding over inertia.”
“The judiciary is too broken for half measures,” Obono added. “If Justice Kekere-Ekun is to leave a meaningful legacy, she must move from rhetoric to reform, from warnings to sanctions, from speeches to visible action. The next twelve months will determine the future trajectory of her tenure and Nigeria’s judiciary.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
Mbasekei Martin Obono, Esq.
Executive Director, TAP Initiative
info@tapinitiative.org