New SANs: CJN Kekere-Ekun warns against disobedience to court orders

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned that no individual or institution would be allowed to disobey court orders.

Justice Kekere-Ekun made this declaration during the inauguration of 87 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria at the Supreme Court in Abuja on Monday.

She said the judiciary must uphold all the tenets of the constitution and the rule of law as the cornerstone of a functional democracy.

“The rights of every Nigerian must be vigilantly safeguarded against oppression and impunity, utilizing the full array of legal instruments at our disposal,” she said.

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“Furthermore, obedience to court orders is non-negotiable. No individual or institution, irrespective of their standing, will be permitted to treat the judgments of our courts with levity or disregard. The judiciary stands resolute in ensuring that the sanctity of our legal decisions is upheld.

“All hands must be on deck in fostering an unwavering commitment to the full enthronement of the rule of law. Disobedience to court orders or non-compliance with judicial directives is a direct affront to democracy and an invitation to anarchy. As such, we must respect and observe all the features of an enduring democracy, for in doing so, we maintain the delicate balance that sustains our society.”

The CJN said the 2023/2024 legal year was challenging for the judiciary in dealing with matters arising from the 2023 general elections with a depleted number of justices, adding that the apex court handled a total of 1,124 cases, involving both its appellate and original jurisdictions.

Continuing, she said these cases comprised 435 civil appeals, 269 civil motions, 219 criminal appeals, 102 criminal motions, 89 political appeals and 10 originating summons with 247 judgements and rulings.

She commended the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) for its capacity for the speedy conclusion of many criminal cases, adding that more reforms were needed in policing the legal process, and the protection of individual rights.

“I intend to strengthen our processes, provide speedy and qualitative administration of justice, reinforce our structures from the Supreme Court to other courts of record, and reduce corruption to the barest minimum in the system,” she said.

She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Bill on Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) Act, 2024 on August 13, while calling for better healthcare for serving and retired judges considering the enormity of their work, which she said makes the Nigerian judiciary “one of the busiest in the world,” due to upsurge in litigation.

She congratulated the new SANs for deserving their privilege, honour and pride of their new ranking, maintaining that the rank comes with responsibilities.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), has reiterated the commitment of the association to support the judiciary in the attainment of Nigeria’s development.

Speaking at the conferment of SAN ranks to 87 lawyers, Osigwe said, “Nigeria can only attain the much desired socio-economic, political development, stability and sustainability if it has an effective and efficient justice system, which will establish and guarantee the maintenance of laws and regulations of the state and citizens’ behaviours and relations.”