The year 2024 was transformative for Nigeria’s judiciary, marked by leadership changes, landmark judgements, salary reforms, and controversies. While the appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) raised hopes for reform, conflicting rulings, judicial misconduct, and budget secrecy underscored ongoing challenges in the justice system.
Leadership Transition: Kudirat Kekere-Ekun Becomes CJN
In August 2024, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun succeeded Justice Kayode Ariwoola as CJN following his retirement at the statutory age of 70. Her appointment came amidst public dissatisfaction with the judiciary’s declining credibility, worsened by allegations of nepotism and inefficiencies during her predecessor’s tenure.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, a Supreme Court Justice since 2013, acknowledged the judiciary’s image problem and vowed to implement reforms. Observers, like lawyer Agbo Pius, emphasized the urgency of addressing delayed justice, political interference, and ethical lapses. He urged her to modernize infrastructure, promote judicial independence, and foster accountability.
Conflicting Court Judgements and Forum Shopping
The judiciary faced criticism for inconsistent rulings, often stemming from forum shopping, where litigants sought favorable verdicts across jurisdictions. High-profile cases, including the Kano emirship dispute and political infighting in Rivers State, highlighted this issue.
In Kano, the reinstatement of Lamido Sanusi as Emir led to contradictory rulings by state and federal courts, creating confusion. Similarly, in Rivers State, conflicting orders related to local government elections exposed judicial vulnerabilities. Despite intervention by the National Judicial Council (NJC), the outcomes of investigations into these rulings remain undisclosed.
Judges’ Remuneration: A Long-Awaited Reform
In 2024, judicial officers received a 300% salary increment under the Judicial Office Holders’ Salaries and Allowances Bill, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. The Chief Justice of Nigeria now earns ₦64 million annually, while Supreme Court Justices receive ₦61.4 million.
While many welcomed the increment as overdue, critics noted its timing during a cost-of-living crisis affecting ordinary Nigerians.
Judicial Misconduct and NJC’s Disciplinary Actions
The NJC, under Justice Kekere-Ekun, took steps to address ethical lapses, recommending the compulsory retirement of two judges and suspending two others for misconduct. However, widespread allegations of bribery persist, as highlighted by a 2024 National Bureau of Statistics survey, which ranked the judiciary as Nigeria’s most corrupt institution.
Landmark Judgement on Local Government Autonomy
A significant Supreme Court ruling in 2024 reinforced local government autonomy, mandating direct disbursement of funds to local governments from the Federation Account. The judgement curtailed state governors’ interference in local government administration, a decision widely celebrated as a victory for grassroots governance.
Housing for Judges Sparks Controversy
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, announced plans to build 40 housing units for judges, citing the need to ensure their independence. While some praised the initiative, critics argued it risked creating undue political influence over the judiciary.
Budget Secrecy and Calls for Transparency
The judiciary’s opaque budgeting process remained a contentious issue in 2024. Civil society groups, like CISLAC, criticized the lack of public accountability and called for reforms to align with Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts under the Open Partnership Agreement policy.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As 2025 begins, Justice Kekere-Ekun has the opportunity to tackle these systemic issues and restore public confidence in the judiciary. Strengthening judicial independence, addressing ethical lapses, and enhancing transparency will be critical to achieving these goals.
