By Prosper Mene
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has issued a stern warning to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to desist from submitting frivolous petitions against judges, emphasizing that such actions undermine the judiciary’s integrity and erode public confidence in the justice system.
Speaking at a legal event in Abuja, Justice Kekere-Ekun expressed concern over the rising trend of baseless complaints aimed at tarnishing the reputation of judicial officers. She urged the NBA to exercise diligence and ensure that petitions are substantiated with credible evidence before submission to the National Judicial Council (NJC).
“Frivolous petitions not only waste judicial resources but also cast unwarranted aspersions on the judiciary’s impartiality,” the CJN stated. “The NBA, as a key stakeholder, must uphold the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility in its oversight role.”
The CJN’s remarks comes up amid ongoing efforts to strengthen judicial accountability while protecting judges from undue harassment. She reaffirmed the NJC’s commitment to investigating legitimate complaints but stressed that unfounded allegations would not be tolerated.
NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, acknowledged the CJN’s concerns and pledged the association’s cooperation in promoting ethical conduct among lawyers. He noted that the NBA would review its petition processes to ensure compliance with the CJN’s directive.
Legal analysts view the CJN’s warning as a critical step toward balancing judicial oversight with the protection of judges’ independence, amid growing public scrutiny of Nigeria’s judiciary.
