The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), urging them to uphold professional integrity, humility and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
The ceremony, held in Abuja to mark the commencement of the new legal year, saw the CJN describe the prestigious rank as not only a recognition of professional excellence but also a call to leadership and greater responsibility.
Justice Kekere-Ekun urged the newly conferred SANs to serve as role models to younger members of the legal profession and protect the dignity of the rank through exemplary conduct.
She emphasised that the distinction must be accompanied by a strong commitment to justice, professional ethics and public service.
The CJN also called for the timely release of funds allocated to the judiciary, warning that delays in disbursement could undermine judicial independence, infrastructure development and the effective administration of justice.
She maintained that judicial independence must be supported by adequate funding, modern facilities and conducive working conditions.
Justice Kekere-Ekun further cautioned judicial officers and legal practitioners against actions capable of eroding public confidence in the judiciary, particularly as the country approaches another electoral season.
She specifically warned against forum shopping, multiple court proceedings seeking similar reliefs and the use of social media to intimidate judicial officers and legal practitioners.
On judicial reforms, the CJN disclosed that the Supreme Court had commenced implementing the Nigerian Case Management System to improve case handling, secure judicial records and reduce administrative delays.
She revealed that the Supreme Court handled 2,456 matters during the 2025/2026 legal year and delivered 411 judgments.
According to her, the court scheduled 1,385 matters for regular sittings as part of efforts to address the backlog of cases, including 733 older cases brought forward for hearing.
She added that 178 inactive matters were disposed of in chambers, while 125 concluded matters were removed from the court’s active docket.
The CJN also advocated greater use of alternative dispute resolution where appropriate, alongside sustained investment in judicial training, staff welfare and technology.
On the fight against corruption, Justice Kekere-Ekun said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported 2,842 convictions during the period under review, while the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed 53 cases and secured 33 convictions.
She commended the National Judicial Council and other relevant bodies for strengthening the screening of judicial appointments through assessments, background checks and public feedback on candidates’ integrity.
The CJN also acknowledged progress in the legal profession, including the emergence of women in leadership positions at the Nigerian Law School and the Nigerian Bar Association.
She called on judicial officers, lawyers and government institutions to work together towards building a more efficient, independent and accessible justice system, stressing that judicial reforms should improve the experience of litigants and strengthen public confidence in the rule of law.
