SAN Calls for Sweeping Judicial Reforms, Tough Sanctions Against Erring Judges

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Charles Mekwunye, has demanded significant reforms within Nigeria's judiciary and electoral adjudication system, asserting that judicial compromise poses one of the most substantial threats to the nation's democratic progress.

Mekwunye delivered a keynote address at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Agbor Branch's 2026 Law Week, themed "Future Proofing Nigeria’s Democracy: Credible Elections and the Legal Cross-Roads." He expressed deep concern over the integrity of election-related litigation, accusing some judicial officers of undermining democratic values through controversial judgments that have sometimes overturned the electoral choices of Nigerians. "There must be consequences for the behaviour of judicial officers who betray their oath and use their enormous powers to pervert the electoral will of the people. The era of impunity must end," Mekwunye stated.

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There must be consequences for the behaviour of judicial officers who betray their oath and use their enormous powers to pervert the electoral will of the people. The era of impunity must end.

While commending the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for recent disciplinary actions against judicial officers, Mekwunye stressed that more effort is needed to restore public trust. He criticized the current procedures for filing petitions against judicial officers with the National Judicial Council (NJC), arguing that the requirement for whistleblowers to disclose their identities and provide affidavits discourages reporting of misconduct. "Most people with relevant information are inhibited by these rules. They serve no useful purpose other than protecting the minority of judicial officers working against the interest of the judiciary and Nigeria," he said.

Mekwunye proposed amending the framework to better protect whistleblowers and extend the complaint filing period from six months to three years. He also revisited the Supreme Court's decision in Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Justice H.A. Nganjiwa, which held that serving judicial officers cannot be prosecuted for misconduct related to their duties unless first disciplined by the NJC. Mekwunye deemed this judgment unconstitutional and contrary to the principle of equality before the law.

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Most people with relevant information are inhibited by these rules. They serve no useful purpose other than protecting the minority of judicial officers working against the interest of the judiciary and Nigeria.