2027 Elections: CJN Warns Judges, Lawyers Against Forum Shopping in Political Cases

By Goodness Ndukuba, Awka

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged judges and lawyers to uphold integrity and impartiality in handling political disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kekere-Ekun gave the warning on Monday in Abuja during a special session of the Supreme Court to mark the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year.

She said electoral disputes often generate intense political activity and emotions, with court decisions carrying significant consequences for individuals, political parties and the country.

The CJN cautioned judicial officers against political associations or conduct that could create an appearance of bias, stressing that their actions and statements would face public scrutiny during the electoral period.

“Judicial officers must remain conscious that every word they speak and every action they take during an electoral period will be subjected to scrutiny.

“They must therefore exercise restraint, avoid political association or conduct capable of creating an appearance of partiality and remain firmly within the boundaries imposed by their oath and the Constitution,” she said.

The Chief Justice also warned against forum shopping, a practice in which litigants deliberately choose courts perceived to favour their interests or file multiple cases seeking substantially similar reliefs.

She said such practices could produce conflicting court orders, disrupt judicial processes and expose the judiciary to avoidable embarrassment.

“It can also create the unfortunate impression that parties are seeking not justice according to law but a particular outcome from a particular court,” Kekere-Ekun said.

She called on lawyers to exercise greater professional responsibility when initiating proceedings arising from political and electoral disputes, particularly where related cases were already pending before other courts.

The CJN further expressed concern that an excessive volume of political litigation could delay the determination of other cases awaiting judicial attention.

“There is, moreover, a broader institutional concern. It does not augur well for our judicial system or the administration of justice if the courts become so overwhelmed by political disputes that other cases in their dockets are consequently delayed or denied the timely attention they require.

“The judiciary must remain available to all litigants, and the urgency or public prominence of political litigation should not come at the expense of other legitimate claims awaiting determination,” she stated.

Kekere-Ekun stressed that the judiciary must resolve electoral disputes according to the law while ensuring that all litigants receive timely and impartial consideration, irrespective of the political prominence of their cases.