2027: CJN Warns Judges, Lawyers Against Bias in Election Disputes

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged judges and lawyers to maintain integrity, impartiality and professionalism in handling political and electoral disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

She warned that conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the judiciary must be avoided, stressing that judicial officers must remain guided by the law and the Constitution.

The CJN spoke on Monday at a special session of the Supreme Court in Abuja to mark the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year.

Kekere-Ekun noted that election periods often generate intense political activities and emotions, leading to disputes with significant consequences for individuals, political parties and the country.

She urged judicial officers to exercise restraint and avoid political associations or actions that could create the impression of bias.

“Judicial officers must remain conscious that every word they speak and every action they take during an electoral period will be subjected to scrutiny.

“They must therefore exercise restraint, avoid political association or conduct capable of creating an appearance of partiality and remain firmly within the boundaries imposed by their oath and the Constitution,” she said.

The CJN also cautioned against forum shopping, a practice in which litigants deliberately institute cases in courts they consider more favourable to their interests or file multiple suits seeking substantially similar reliefs.

According to her, such practices could lead to conflicting court orders, disrupt the administration of justice and expose the judiciary to unnecessary embarrassment.

She also called on lawyers to exercise greater professional responsibility when filing cases arising from political and electoral disputes, particularly where related matters are already pending before other courts.

“There is also a need for greater professional responsibility by lawyers in the institution of proceedings arising from political and electoral disputes,” she stated.

Kekere-Ekun warned that forum shopping could create the impression that litigants were seeking favourable outcomes from particular courts rather than pursuing justice in accordance with the law.

She said the practice could undermine the orderly administration of justice and weaken public confidence in the judiciary.

The CJN further expressed concern that an excessive concentration on political litigation could delay the determination of other cases awaiting judicial attention.

She stressed that the courts must remain accessible to all litigants and ensure that politically prominent cases do not take precedence at the expense of other legitimate claims.

“There is, moreover, a broader institutional concern. It does not augur well for our judicial system or the administration of justice if the courts become so overwhelmed by political disputes that other cases in their dockets are consequently delayed or denied the timely attention they require,” she said.

The CJN maintained that the judiciary must uphold fairness, discipline and fidelity to the law as the country approaches the 2027 elections, noting that the conduct of judges and lawyers would be critical to sustaining public confidence in the justice system.