Kekere-Ekun: Lawyers who comment on matters before the court will be dealt with

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), says lawyers who comment on matters that are under judicial consideration will be dealt with decisively.

Kekere-Ekun spoke on Wednesday when she appeared before the senate for screening as CJN.

The 23rd CJN said those who engage in those acts would not have anywhere to hide.

“Speaking on social media, condeming the judiciary, commenting on cases that are sub judice will not have anywhere to hide, they will be dealt with decisively,” she said after Senate President Godswill Akpabio asked her a question.

Akpabio said some lawyers have a habit of speaking on cases that are under judicial consideration on social media and television and asked if there would be punishment for them.

The CJN said social media would not influence the decisions of judges under her watch.

“We have taken an oath of office to do our jobs without fear or favour and they won’t be influenced by social media,” she said.

“However, it is true that there is a lot that goes on in social media and other fora and it portrays the judiciary in bad light.”

The CJN said she would ensure the independence and integrity of the court by enforcing the code of conduct of judicial officers and ensuring they have good welfare.

“One thing I am known for is integrity and I am known for discipline. To ensure independence of the judiciary, I will ensure that the code of conduct [for judicial officers] is enforced,” she said.

“For the NJC, we are going to ensure that petitions are going to be dealt with speedily. Also for upholding the integrity of the judiciary, it is to insulate it from external influence.

“We are grateful to President Bola Tinubu for increasing the salaries of judicial officers, but there is still a way to go. I will ensure that they [judicial officers] have better welfare.”

She added that there should be a limit to the type of cases that get to the supreme court because “it is a policy court”, adding that this would help reduce the backlog of cases the apex court has to decide.