The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has issued a stern warning to judges across the country, emphasizing that the continued delay in delivering justice could lead to a loss of public confidence in the judiciary.
She made this statement during the third annual National Judicial Council (NJC) conference on judges’ performance evaluation, held in Abuja on Tuesday. The event brought together senior judicial officials and stakeholders to address the increasing concerns over the efficiency of Nigeria’s judicial system.
Justice Kekere-Ekun expressed grave concern over the rising number of pending cases in the country’s superior courts. She revealed alarming statistics, noting that as of the first quarter of 2024, there were 243,253 pending cases in Nigeria’s superior courts, excluding the Supreme Court.
“These cases include 199,747 civil suits and 43,506 criminal cases,” she said. The CJN highlighted that these numbers point to a judicial system that is under strain, with cases piling up faster than they are being resolved.
She described the slow rate at which some judges were handling their cases as “simply unacceptable,” pointing out that some judicial officers had failed to deliver a single judgment throughout an entire quarter.
Justice Kekere-Ekun stressed that delayed justice is effectively denied justice, a situation that could seriously erode public trust in the judicial system.
“Delayed justice poses a significant risk to the credibility of the judiciary,” she warned. “People look to the courts for fairness and swift resolution of disputes, and when they are met with endless delays, it diminishes their confidence in the legal system.”
The CJN explained that the Nigerian public expects prompt and impartial justice, and any failure to meet this expectation could lead to a broader loss of faith in the rule of law.
“My Lords, ladies and gentlemen, we cannot wish away the growing backlog of cases or expect a different result when we continue to do things the same way,” she added. Justice Kekere-Ekun reminded judges that the judiciary plays a vital role in upholding democracy and that delayed justice undermines this role.
To address the problem of judicial inefficiency, Justice Kekere-Ekun called for immediate reforms, including the adoption of modern technology and digital tools to speed up case management and delivery of judgments.
She advocated for the introduction of digital case management systems, virtual courtrooms, and electronic filing (e-filing) to streamline court processes and reduce the burden on the judiciary. According to her, embracing technological solutions is essential if the courts are to meet the growing demands of an evolving society.
“Technology is no longer optional in our courts; it is a necessity,” she stated. “Judges must take full advantage of digital tools to enhance performance and improve the speed at which cases are resolved. Virtual courtrooms, e-filing systems, and automated case tracking must become standard practice if we are to deliver timely justice.”
The CJN emphasized that adopting technology will not only improve efficiency but also make the courts more accessible to the public, reducing the need for physical appearances and lengthy adjournments.
In addition to technological reforms, Justice Kekere-Ekun encouraged the greater use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration. She argued that ADR could help ease the workload on courts by diverting cases that do not necessarily need to go through lengthy litigation.
“Mediation, arbitration, and other forms of ADR offer faster, less adversarial solutions for parties in conflict,” she said. “If properly utilized, ADR can significantly reduce the number of cases that come before our courts, allowing judges to focus on more complex matters.”
She urged lawyers and litigants to consider ADR as a viable option for settling disputes, particularly in civil cases that can often be resolved through negotiation rather than courtroom battles.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s remarks underscore the importance of maintaining public trust in Nigeria’s judicial system. She made it clear that the judiciary cannot afford to become complacent, as public perception is a critical factor in upholding the rule of law.
“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done,” she stated, quoting a popular legal maxim. “When people lose faith in the courts, they seek justice elsewhere, and that leads to instability in society. Our judicial officers must rise to the occasion and ensure that justice is delivered swiftly and fairly.”
She also highlighted the role of the judiciary in preserving the sanctity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, stating that an efficient and trustworthy judiciary is essential for upholding the country’s legal framework.
To tackle the mounting backlog of cases, the CJN laid out a comprehensive plan that includes not only the use of technology and ADR but also improved judicial training and performance evaluation. She mentioned that the NJC would continue to monitor the performance of judges to ensure they meet the required standards for case disposal.
“Judges who consistently fail to meet performance benchmarks will be held accountable,” she warned. The NJC’s performance evaluation, she explained, will play a critical role in ensuring that judges are not only working hard but also efficiently.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also called for an increase in funding for the judiciary to provide the necessary resources and infrastructure needed to implement the recommended reforms.
