Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has cautioned judges who may be assigned to election petition tribunals ahead of the 2027 general elections to uphold strict impartiality and avoid actions capable of creating perceptions of political alignment.
Kekere-Ekun issued the warning on Wednesday in Abuja at the flag-off ceremony marking the 2026/2027 legal year of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
The CJN noted that, under the constitutional and legal provisions guiding the 2027 elections, some judges of the National Industrial Court could be appointed to serve on election petition tribunals.
She said such appointments would impose additional responsibilities on the affected judges because electoral disputes often involve intense political interests and attract significant public scrutiny.
Kekere-Ekun consequently urged judges to exercise caution in their conduct, relationships and public engagements both before and during their tribunal assignments, as well as after completing such duties.
According to her, the conduct of judges would come under heightened scrutiny as the nation approaches another general election.
“As we approach another electoral season, these responsibilities assume even greater importance.
“Some of Your Lordships may, in accordance with the applicable constitutional and legal framework, be called upon to serve as members of Election Petition Tribunals.
“In that capacity, Your Lordships will be called upon to decide politically sensitive disputes which attract considerable public attention.
“The nature of such assignments therefore demands an even greater degree of impartiality, restraint and detachment.
“Whether sitting in this Court or performing a Tribunal assignment, you must remain conscious that your conduct will be closely scrutinized.
“You must ensure that nothing in your associations, public engagements or other conduct creates a reasonable perception of political alignment or predisposition.
“The Bar must never become an instrument through which the judicial process is manipulated for partisan or strategic purposes.
“The proper forum is determined by law, not by the perceived likelihood of success before a particular Judge or court.
“There is also a need for restraint in public commentary. The right to criticise a judgment or judicial process does not extend to personal attacks on Judges, deliberate misrepresentation of proceedings or attempts to bring pressure to bear on the Court through public opinion.
“Where there are genuine concerns about judicial conduct, the appropriate institutional channels remain available and should be used,” the CJN added.
Election petition tribunals are expected to serve as key avenues for resolving legal challenges arising from the conduct and results of elections. Their rulings can have far-reaching consequences for candidates, political parties and elected positions.
Kekere-Ekun also addressed the relationship between members of the legal profession and the judiciary, warning lawyers against instituting similar cases in multiple courts merely because they consider a particular judge or court more likely to deliver a favourable decision.
She said such conduct could produce conflicting judgments and weaken public confidence in the administration of justice.
The CJN further urged members of the legal profession to exercise restraint in their public statements, stressing that while lawyers have the right to criticise judicial decisions and processes, such criticism must remain within the boundaries of professional conduct and respect for the courts.
She also raised concerns over the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in legal research and court proceedings.
Although she acknowledged the usefulness of AI as a research tool, Kekere-Ekun warned lawyers against relying on information generated by such systems without independently verifying its accuracy.
She pointed out that AI tools could generate fictitious cases, inaccurate citations and quotations that do not actually appear in the judgments to which they are attributed.
“An AI system may produce an answer that appears authoritative, complete with names of parties, citations, quotations and even a seemingly convincing account of the decision.
“That does not make the authority genuine. A non-existent case, an incorrectly stated decision or a quotation attributed to a judgment in which it does not appear has no place in a court process
“For counsel, the consequences can be serious,” the CJN warned.
She emphasised that lawyers retain professional responsibility for all materials and legal authorities submitted before the courts, irrespective of whether those materials were obtained through conventional research or generated with the assistance of technology.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, was among those who attended the ceremony and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the National Industrial Court.
His position came amid ongoing efforts by the court to enhance the speed and effectiveness of labour justice administration.
Also speaking at the event, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, advocated the continued advancement of Nigerian labour jurisprudence.
She said labour laws and judicial principles must evolve in response to changing social and economic realities while remaining anchored on the rule of law.
The legal year ceremony followed the formal commissioning of the newly constructed headquarters of the National Industrial Court in Abuja.
The 2026 legal year programme, which spans two days, features court activities, a public lecture and a Bar and Bench forum.
The event formally signals the commencement of a new legal year for the National Industrial Court.
Former Chief Justices of Nigeria, Justices Mahmud Mohammed and Walter Onnoghen, were among the prominent personalities who attended the ceremony.
The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongbam-Mensen, was also present, alongside Senior Advocates of Nigeria and other members of the legal profession.
