I won’t tolerate corrupt judicial officers, frivolous ex parte orders, others -acting CJN

.Says pre- election cases should terminate at the appeal court

By Tunde Opalana

The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere – Ekun, has vowed that under her tenure as Chief Justice of Nigeria, corrupt judicial officers will have no hidden place as her office will have zero tolerance for acts capable of desecrating the temple of justice.

She also promised to checkmate frivolous obtaining of ex parte order and granting of preliminary injunction by judges.

She read riot acts on Wednesday while appearing before the Senate for confirmation of her appointment as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.

She promised to further entrench the integrity of the judiciary by ensuring upgrading of both the bench and the bar.

As part of reformation in the judiciary, she said a committee of the Supreme Court will look into conflicting court judgements and take decisive action against erring judicial officers.

The newly confirmed CJN said digitilisation of all courts would help to tackle the problem.

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“Digitalisation of all the courts would help to track cases already treated by the various courts and prevent conflicting judgements”, she said.

For decongestion of cases at the Supreme Court, she pleaded with the Senate and by extension, the National Assembly, to amend the relevant section of the 2022 Electoral Act, in making all pre – election matters to terminate at the Court of Appeal.

Justice Kekere – Ekun said for the Supreme Court, all pre – election matters should be terminated at the Court of Appeal.

She added that Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) would also be used to decongest cases at the various courts which will be embraced by many since it doesn’t end up on victor and vanquished pronouncement.

She added that trouble looms for those in the habit of discussing cases pending in the court, particularly Senior lawyers with declarative or authoritative pronouncements.

“Some of the things that I’m known for are integrity and zero tolerance for corruption.

“Judiciary under my leadership as CJN would be one that is not associated with corruption and other things like frivolous ex – parte orders by Judges or interim injunctions.

“Decisive actions would be taken against any officer found indulging in such practices.

“Powers on ex parte orders and interim injunction are no doubt being abused by some judges.

“Such abuses would not be tolerated under my headship of the judiciary.

Responding to alleged subjudice being committed by social commentators, particularly senior lawyers on Television or Radio programmes through declarative or authoritative comments on cases pending in the courts, the CJN said as Chairman of Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, such actions would be dealt with.

“Decisive actions would no doubt be taken against those found of making declarative or authoritative comments on cases pending in the courts of law “, she said.

She, however, disagreed with suggestion made by Senator Sani Musa that separate courts should be created to handle election matters and terrorism, saying “such courts would also be congested later if required digitalisation of courts across the country is not done”.

Apparently impressed with her submissions, the Senate after about two hours of drilling, confirmed Justice Kudirat Kekere – Ekun as second female Chief Judtice of Nigeria.