Judicial Reform Success Hinges on Lawyer Support, Says Nigeria's Chief Justice

The effectiveness of judicial reforms in Nigeria is critically dependent on the active support and collaboration of lawyers, according to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. Speaking after meeting with the outgoing leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the CJN underscored the necessity of a strong partnership between the judiciary and legal practitioners.

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the success of any judicial reform will depend on the support of lawyers.

Justice Kekere-Ekun affirmed the Supreme Court's dedication to continuously enhancing its electronic filing platform. She stated that improvements will be guided by the practical experiences and feedback from court users. The CJN also expressed gratitude to the NBA's outgoing leadership, led by Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, for fostering a constructive relationship with the judiciary during their tenure and for supporting the recently launched Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS) at the Supreme Court.

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the legal profession and the Judiciary share a common responsibility in promoting the efficient administration of justice and the rule of law.

NBA President Osigwe, SAN, pledged the legal profession's commitment to the successful implementation of the NCMS and the new Practice Directions for electronic filing. He lauded the Supreme Court's introduction of the electronic filing system as a significant step toward modernizing justice administration. However, Osigwe raised concerns regarding specific provisions within the new Practice Directions, requesting comprehensive user manuals and training materials to ensure legal practitioners can effectively adapt to the system.

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the Supreme Court remains committed to continually improving the electronic filing platform in response to the practical experiences of court users.

In response, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, assured the NBA delegation that the Practice Directions were designed to streamline, not impede, legal practice. Akanbi explained that the electronic filing system includes safeguards for litigants and practitioners, aiming to boost overall court efficiency. He confirmed that user manuals and training materials are ready and requested the NBA to nominate representatives to collaborate with court officials during the implementation phase for a smooth transition.

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Pledged the legal profession’s support for the successful implementation of the NCMS and the recently issued Supreme Court (Mandatory Upload of Electronic Copies of Processes, Records of Appeal and Other Matters) Practice Directions, 2026.