- Vows To Prioritize Obedience Of Court Orders
- Tinubu Pledges Commitment To Independent Judiciary
On Monday, September 30, 2024 in a watershed moment, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu as the Chief Justice of Nigeria following a recommendation from the National Judicial Council (NJC) and subsequent clearance by the National Assembly.
While the euphoria that greeted her appointment has gradually subsided, she is settling down to the task at hand.
Top on her priority list is restoring honour and integrity to Nigeria’s judiciary which has remained a continuous challenge with several factors hindering the administration of justice.
READ ALSO: CJN: Hard Tasks Before Kekere-Ekun
One of the most critical challenges bedeviling the judicial system has being delays in legal proceedings. While political cases oftentimes receive swift attention, civil litigations can drag on for years—sometimes even decades.
Another major issue is conflicting judgments from courts of equal standing, a situation that damages public confidence in the judiciary and more importantly, disobedience of court orders.
Despite various efforts over the years, restoration of integrity to the Judiciary has remained elusive.
In pursuit of this ideal, Nigeria has inaugurated over 23 Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJNs), with the most recent being Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, sworn in by President Bola Tinubu following a recommendation from the National Judicial Council (NJC).
Kekere-Ekun, now the 23rd CJN, is the second woman to hold the position, following Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who served from 2012 to 2014.
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As she steps into the saddle, however, the focus will not be on her gender but on the immense challenges that lie ahead.
The judiciary is not just another institution—it is a vital arm of government that holds society together.
Unfortunately, in recent years, the law’s role as a tool for social progress has been compromised by unethical practices.
To address this, shortly after her swearing-in, Justice Kekere-Ekun issued a strong warning against disobedience to court orders, emphasizing that such disobedience is unacceptable.
She stressed that no one, regardless of social status, would be allowed to treat the courts with disregard, as doing so would undermine democracy and invite chaos.
“Obedience to court orders is non-negotiable,” Kekere-Ekun stated.
“No individual or institution, irrespective of their standing, will be permitted to treat the judgments of our courts with levity or disregard.
The judiciary stands resolute in ensuring that the sanctity of our legal decisions is upheld. All hands must be on deck in fostering an unwavering commitment to the full enthronement of the rule of law.
“As such, it is critical that we respect and observe all the features of an enduring democracy, for in doing so, we maintain the delicate balance that sustains our society. Let us, therefore, work collectively and tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria continues to abide by the rule of law, uphold the best democratic practices, and remain vigilant in the protection of her citizens’ rights.”
President Tinubu, in line with fostering the rule of law and respecting the separation of powers, tasked Kekere-Ekun with safeguarding the judiciary’s independence, promoting justice, and reinforcing integrity, discipline, and transparency in the judicial sector.
He urged her to implement reforms to restore public confidence in the system.
He reiterated that the judiciary’s independence is essential for sustaining Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
“The judiciary is an important pillar constituting the tripod that holds our constitutional democracy. Indeed, the Nigerian judiciary, at various times in history, has proven to be the moderating force ensuring everyone remains in check,” Tinubu said.
“Your role as the last hope of the common man serves to sustain our people’s confidence in democracy, knowing well that there is an important arbiter that can always give them redress if they are wronged.
For this function, it is important that our judiciary remains truly independent. My administration is fully committed to preserving the sanctity of the judiciary.
“We will never interfere with or abuse the relationship between us as separate organs of government in our democracy. This is essential for sustaining our constitutional democracy.”
