Citizens’ Gavel backs CJN Kekere-Ekun’s call for judicial reforms, war on corruption

ABUJA – The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has received the backing of an advocacy group, Citizens’ Gavel, for her call to action on judicial reforms and the fight against corruption.

This development came as the judiciary faced increasing criticism over delayed justice and widespread graft.

The statement emphasized that Justice Kekere-Ekun’s acknowledgement of the judiciary’s inefficiencies aligns with Citizens’ Gavel’s mission to uphold justice and protect Nigerians’ rights.

Justice Kekere-Ekun made her remarks at the 3rd Annual National Judicial Council (NJC) Conference on Judges’ Performance Evaluation in Abuja, where she stressed that delayed justice is equivalent to denied justice.

According to Citizens’ Gavel, her candid acknowledgement highlights the urgent need for reform.

The statement reads, “Delayed justice is denied justice. This stark reality underscores the frustrations of many citizens caught in a judicial system perceived as slow and inefficient. When judicial officers fail to deliver judgments promptly, it undermines public confidence in the judiciary and perpetuates a cycle of injustice that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable members of society.

“The alarming reduction in the number of cases disposed of by some judicial officers necessitates swift and effective execution of judicial roles. This resonates deeply with the mission to uphold justice and protect the rights of all Nigerians.

“We urge all judicial officers to heed the call and commit to delivering justice with the urgency and integrity it deserves.”

It would be recalled that a recent report by Citizens’ Gavel highlighted that the judiciary’s inefficiencies have led to a significant backlog of cases, undermining public confidence in the institution.

The report also identified corruption as a major obstacle to justice, with 48.3% of professionals encountering corruption in the judiciary.

To address these challenges, Citizens’ Gavel recommended implementing effective case management systems, adopting Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, and establishing specialized courts. The organization also advocated for transparent disciplinary processes and stringent anti-corruption measures.

Citizens’ Gavel’s recommendations were contained in a letter to the CJN dated September 19, 2024, titled “Nigerians Co-Creating Justice.” The letter outlines citizens’ insights and proposals for repositioning the judiciary.