The Nigerian Bar Association has expressed concern over the increasing cases of conflicting court judgments and condemned the rising trend of the executive arm of government awarding contracts on behalf of the judiciary.
Speaking ahead of the association’s 2025 Law Week, Chairman of the Akure Branch, Mr. Friday Umar, said such reforms should take care of the pre-election litigations and independence of the judiciary. He explained that some of such conflicting decisions were due to differing judicial opinions, while the National Judicial Council was already addressing forum shopping and ensuring that cases go to the appropriate jurisdictions.
Umar also warned that leaving governors to provide funds or award contracts for court buildings and judges’ vehicles would undermine the independence of the judiciary.
The 2025 Law Week, themed “Nigeria: Quest for a Utilitarian Judiciary and Roles for Stakeholders,” will feature a keynote address by former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, and a panel on “Promoting Electoral Justice through Legislative and Judicial Systems.”
Umar emphasized that an independent, neutral judiciary is crucial to retaining democracy and providing legitimate election results.
