Flouting court orders won’t be tolerated, Kekere-Ekun warns

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has issued a stern warning to individuals and institutions against disobedience to court orders, asserting that compliance with judicial directives is non-negotiable.

Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasised that no one, regardless of social status, would be allowed to treat the courts with disdain, noting that disobedience to court orders not only undermines democracy but also invites anarchy.

She made these remarks on Monday during a special Supreme Court session marking the commencement of the 2024/2025 Legal Year and the conferment of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria rank on several senior lawyers.

“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,” she stated.

Kekere-Ekun urged collective efforts to uphold the rule of law and maintain the delicate balance that sustains society.

She added, “It is critical that we respect and observe all the features of an enduring democracy. 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 citizens’ rights.”

The CJN encouraged lawyers to emphasise this principle to citizens and to advocate  a legal and just society. She also stressed that the rights of every Nigerian must be safeguarded against oppression and impunity, utilising all legal instruments available.

She urged litigants to embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to ease the burden on the courts, stating, “The culture of litigating every disagreement and appealing every lost case, no matter how trivial, significantly contributes to the backlog of pending appeals in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. This trajectory is unsustainable for a nation striving for economic development and human capital growth.”

Kekere-Ekun called on lawyers to educate Nigerians about the benefits of alternative dispute resolution.

Reflecting on her tenure as the new substantive CJN, having been sworn in just hours before the ceremony, she declared it a “new dawn and a new era” for the Nigerian judiciary.

She pledged to improve the public’s perception of the judiciary, stating, “We are committed to working more diligently to enhance the public perception of the Nigerian Judiciary. Over the years, various factors have contributed to the negative image of the judiciary. However, we are determined to change this narrative and make the judiciary a source of pride for all Nigerians. When the legal compass of a nation falters, everything suffers, including public and international perception.”

Justice Kekere-Ekun criticised the practice of “forum shopping” by some legal practitioners, describing it as a major contributor to conflicting orders by courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

She stated, “Henceforth, there will be consequences for any act of indiscretion that could bring the judiciary into disrepute. We have rules and ethics guiding the practice of our noble profession, and we must work assiduously to abide by them and always do what is right in the eye of the law.”

Under her leadership, the CJN vowed that the judiciary would adhere to the principles of honesty, transparency, and integrity, calling upon all judicial officers and members of the Bar to join her in achieving these goals.