NIGERIA’S JUDICIARY AHEAD OF 2027
CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU contends that the judiciary tends to prioritise power over people The annual ritual of the opening of the judicial year at Nigeria’s Supreme Court is an occasion
The annual opening of Nigeria's Supreme Court is a time for pomp and celebration, marked by the admission of new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs). Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun delivered her customary State of the Administration of Justice (SOTAJ) report, anticipating a surge in election petitions and political disputes leading up to the 2027 general elections.
The Chief Justice acknowledged the need for adaptation as senior judges retire and younger ones take their place. Four of the five Justices mentioned in the report will retire within a year, likely without any replacements before the 2027 elections. The Chief Justice highlighted case management as a major focus, with the Supreme Court receiving 2,456 cases in the 2025-26 judicial year, including 433 civil appeals and 215 criminal appeals.
Notably, political cases accounted for only 2.8% of the cases heard, down from 5% in 2021. The court rendered 411 judgments, a 16.73% relative to the total case intake, reflecting an unsustainable workload that affects the quality of judgments. The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the United States of America had significantly lower case loads and judgment rates.
The Nigerian court has implemented the Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS) and started a Mediation Centre, with 125 matters removed from the active pool and 178 "moribund matters" disposed of in chambers.
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