By Tony Okafor
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s recent swearing-in as the Chief Justice of Nigeria comes at a pivotal time for the nation’s judiciary.
As she takes the reins, she faces the monumental task of restoring public trust and confidence in the judiciary, particularly after the contentious 2023 general elections. The judiciary’s image has been tarnished by perceptions of bias, inefficiency, and politicization.
Indisputably, the 2023 elections highlighted the judiciary’s vulnerability to manipulation, with allegations of miscarriage of justice, forum shopping, selective justice, and indiscriminate “cash and carry” exparte orders undermining the people’s faith in the system.
To address these concerns, Justice Kekere-Ekun must prioritize transparency, accountability, and impartiality.
This entails ending the reprehensible practice of forum shopping, deliberate misinformation of statutes, checking indiscriminate “cash and carry” exparte orders, and preventing courts of coordinate jurisdiction from adjudicating on same subject matter jurisdiction.
Nigerians talk freely about these vices, conscionable legal practitioners and even retired judges agonisingly admit their existence and urge radical overhaul.
The decadence is such that politicians now mock their opponents, whom they may have swindled at the ballot to “go to court,” with the knowledge that getting justice is a Sisyphean undertaking in Nigeria.
The judiciary must demonstrate its independence and resistance to external influences, ensuring judges remain unbiased and unswayed by external pressures.
Furthermore, Justice Kekere-Ekun must streamline judicial processes, implementing efficient case management systems to reduce delays and promote timely justice delivery.
Beyond reforming processes, Justice Kekere-Ekun has a unique opportunity to revitalize the judiciary’s workforce.
Regular training and development programmes for judges and judicial staff will enhance capacity and competence.
Ensuring adequate resources and support systems for judicial workers will boost morale and productivity.
By tackling these challenges head-on, Justice Kekere-Ekun can redeem the judiciary’s image, bolster public trust as the last hope of the common man, and cement her legacy as a champion of justice.
Nigerians expect nothing short of a judicial renaissance – one that reaffirms the judiciary’s role as the last bastion of hope for justice and fairness.
With courage, conviction, and unwavering commitment, Justice Kekere-Ekun can revolutionize Nigeria’s judicial landscape, ending the embarrassing charade that has reduced ‘Go To Court’ to a mockery and restoring faith in the rule of law.
Will she rise to the challenge and usher in a new era of judicial excellence? The answer lies in her willingness to act decisively and lead with integrity.
