The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has issued a stern warning to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over the growing trend of frivolous petitions filed against judicial officers. She emphasized that such actions, often lacking in merit and evidence, undermine the judiciary’s integrity and subject judges to unwarranted trauma.
In a statement delivered through her media aide, Tobi Soniyi, the CJN noted that while accountability is crucial, lawyers must resist the urge to use baseless accusations to intimidate judges. She urged aggrieved parties to submit genuine complaints to the National Judicial Council (NJC), the appropriate body for addressing judicial misconduct.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also criticised legal practitioners who publicly criticise court rulings without studying the judgments, and she called on senior lawyers to guide their juniors in upholding professional discipline.
The Chairman of the NBA Bar and Bench Forum, Richard Ahonaruogho, supported the CJN’s position, proposing penalties for false petitions and urging stronger collaboration between the Bar and the Bench.
