The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has said the judiciary has made significant progress in restoring public confidence over the last legal year. She made the remarks on Monday in Abuja during a special session of the Supreme Court marking the commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year.
Justice Kekere-Ekun outlined measures taken to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the judicial system. These include infrastructural upgrades, digitisation of court processes, the establishment of a Court Records Processing Unit and a Central Information Unit, and the streamlining of case management systems with stricter timelines. She also noted disciplinary actions against erring judicial officers and legal practitioners.
The CJN highlighted the Supreme Court’s performance in the 2024/2025 legal year, noting that 2,280 matters were considered, including 560 appeals, resulting in 369 judgments—a significant increase compared to the previous year. She also announced the integration of the Court’s Enrolment Unit with the Nigerian Law School and reforms to enhance staff welfare and training.
Justice Kekere-Ekun further commended the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee for expediting the adjudication of corruption and financial crime cases, noting that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission secured 1,417 convictions in the first two quarters of 2025.
During the session, 57 legal practitioners were conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Justice Kekere-Ekun praised their dedication, singling out Mr. Lawal Hudu Garba, who achieved the rank despite being physically challenged.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), lauded the CJN for her leadership and reforms, while the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), called for urgent judicial reforms, full digitisation of court processes, and merit-based judicial appointments.
Chief A. B. Kasumu, representing the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, urged politicians and legislators to respect election results and reduce the Supreme Court’s involvement in political matters, while the new SANs pledged to uphold the highest standards of the legal profession
