As the nation approaches another election season, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged judges, particularly heads of courts, to be vigilant against practices that undermine the integrity of judicial proceedings.

Kekere-Ekun identified such practices to include forum shopping, concealment of related proceedings and attempts to obtain conflicting orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

She spoke in Abuja yesterday during the opening session of “the 2026 roundtable for heads of courts,” organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

The CJN said the issues required particular attention as the country approached another election season, noting that election-related disputes often attracted intense public interest and considerable pressure on the courts.

She added: “The Judiciary must be prepared to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with impartiality, courage and fidelity to the law.

“Political sensitivity, public sentiment or the urgency with which a matter is presented must never displace the careful application of the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the applicable rules of court.

“I urge your lordships to ensure that appropriate administrative arrangements are in place to facilitate the timely and orderly handling of election-related matters.”

According to her, judicial officers must be reminded of the need to scrutinise applications carefully, insist on full and frank disclosure of relevant facts, pay due regard to related proceedings and resist any attempt to use urgent applications or ex parte orders to secure an improper advantage.

She also stated that the integrity of judicial proceedings must not be compromised by competing political interests or pressure from any quarter.

“Forum shopping is particularly damaging because it undermines consistency, encourages abuse of process and exposes the Judiciary to avoidable public controversy.

“Your Lordships must therefore ensure that existing procedural safeguards are observed and that appropriate steps are taken whenever attempts to circumvent established judicial processes come to light,” she added.

The CJN reminded the heads of courts that they were expected to provide the leadership necessary to ensure that election-related cases were handled competently, expeditiously and strictly in accordance with the law.

She said the objective was to ensure that the courts remain impartial arbiters of disputes, free from political influence and guided solely by the facts, the applicable law and the demands of justice.

Speaking earlier, the Administrator of the (NJI), Justice Babatunde Adejumo retired), said the Judiciary, as custodian of justice and guardian of the rule of law, was under constant public scrutiny, placing a heavy responsibility on those steering its affairs to safeguard its image and shape positive public perceptions.

Adejumo, who is the immediate past President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), said the annual roundtable provides a platform for candid exchange, identifying cross-cutting challenges and collectively developing solutions.