CJN Kekere-Ekun warns against disobedience to court orders

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned both individuals and institutions against disobedience to court orders, insisting that obedience to court orders is non-negotiable.

The CJN stressed that no one, irrespective of social status, will be permitted to treat the courts with disregard, noting that disobedience to court orders or non-compliance with judicial directives is not only a direct affront to democracy but also an invitation to anarchy.

She made this statement on Monday at a special Supreme Court session held to mark the commencement of the 2024/2025 legal year and the conferment of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria rank on some senior lawyers.

She said, “Obedience to court orders is non-negotiable. 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.”

She noted that the rule of law is the cornerstone of every functional democracy and should be strictly adhered to in all undertakings, urging lawyers to emphasise the importance of this principle to citizens at all levels and encourage them to actively walk the path of legality and justice.

The CJN also pointed out that the rights of every Nigerian must be vigilantly safeguarded against oppression and impunity, utilising the full array of legal instruments at their disposal.

Justice Kekere-Ekun stated that the Nigerian Supreme Court remains one of the busiest in the world due to the upsurge in litigation, which has kept the apex court’s docket full.

She encouraged litigants to embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to help ease the burden on the courts, adding that “the culture of litigating every disagreement and appealing every lost case, no matter how trivial, contributes significantly to the backlog of pending appeals in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.”

Speaking further, she said, “This trajectory is unsustainable for a nation striving for economic development and human capital growth.

“Educating Nigerians on the benefits of alternative dispute resolution is a collective task for all stakeholders in the justice sector. In this regard, concerted efforts are being made to ensure that the Supreme Court Mediation Centre becomes operational to make the desired impact in the new legal year.”

On her tenure as the new substantive CJN, Kekere-Ekun noted that it is a new dawn and a new era in the Nigerian Judiciary, as she is fully committed to improving the public’s perception of the judiciary.

She expressed regret that the attitude of some in the justice sector is sometimes less than salutary, contributing to the current image deficit of the country’s legal system.

She noted that “the Supreme Court’s judgments are free from external influence,” adding that although it is essential for the judiciary, as the third arm of government, to maintain good working relationships with the executive and legislative branches, this working relationship should not be misconstrued as subservience.

She further added that while current judicial officers may benefit from the reforms, those transitioning out of service or who have already retired are left without adequate support, especially regarding healthcare.

According to her, the rising number of deaths among serving judges and justices, as well as retired judges and justices shortly after retirement, underscores the gravity of the situation.

To address these gaps, she appealed for the provision of “access to comprehensive healthcare and improved infrastructure for both serving and retired judicial officers and staff, as this is crucial to preserving the dignity and well-being of those who have dedicated their lives to serving the judiciary.”