Stop personal attacks on judges over court judgments, CJN warns lawyers

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned lawyers against using criticism of court judgments or proceedings to attack judges or misrepresent cases in ways that could influence public opinion.

According to The Nation, Kekere-Ekun spoke in Abuja at the inauguration of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria headquarters and the commencement of its 2026/2027 legal year.

She said: “The right to criticise a judgment or judicial process does not extend to personal attacks on Judges, deliberate misrepresentation of proceedings or attempts to bring pressure to bear on the court through public opinion.”

The CJN also urged judges handling election petitions to avoid conduct that could create perceptions of political bias.

“You must ensure that nothing in your associations, public engagements or other conduct creates a reasonable perception of political alignment or predisposition,” she said.

Kekere-Ekun also warned lawyers against forum shopping and parallel proceedings, saying: “The Bar must never become an instrument through which the judicial process is manipulated for partisan or strategic purposes.”