CJN Kekere-Ekun Warns Judges: NJC Will Not Tolerate Poor Performance
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, issued a stern warning on Tuesday, stating that the National Judicial Council (NJC) will not spare judges who fail to deliver the required number of judgments within a quarter. She made this clear during the 3rd Annual NJC Conference on Judges’ Performance Evaluation in Abuja.
Justice Kekere-Ekun expressed concern over the performance of some judicial officers, revealing that at the last evaluation meeting, a significant drop in case disposals was noted, with some judges failing to deliver any judgment in a quarter.
“This is simply unacceptable,” the CJN said. “If we fail to justly, speedily, and effectively execute our duties, public confidence in the judiciary will erode. Justice delayed is justice denied.”
The CJN urged judges to embrace accountability, focus on courtroom management, and maximize the use of case management systems. She stressed that performance should not only be measured by speed but also by the quality and impact of the judgments delivered.
Addressing the backlog of cases, she noted that as of the first quarter of 2024, there were 243,253 pending cases in superior courts across Nigeria, excluding the Supreme Court, with 199,747 civil cases and 43,506 criminal cases. She called for immediate action to address this issue and improve judicial performance.
To enhance efficiency, Kekere-Ekun encouraged the adoption of technology, such as digital case management systems, virtual courtrooms, and e-filing systems. She praised President Bola Tinubu’s increase in the salaries and allowances of judicial officers, calling it a significant step towards promoting judicial independence and improving the pace of justice in the country.
Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad, chairman of the NJC Performance Evaluation Committee, also addressed the conference, lamenting the consistently low performance of some judges despite the committee’s guidance. He announced that judges with persistently poor performance will now be recommended for removal.
“The purpose of the committee is to support judicial officers in their duties, but we will not tolerate non-performance due to indolence or impunity,” Justice Muhammad said. The committee will continue holding “show cause” meetings with judges and heads of courts to improve performance.
The NJC Performance Evaluation Committee, established in 2003 following a recommendation from the Justice Kayode Eso Committee, evaluates the performance and conduct of judicial officers. The committee has also implemented a performance evaluation software system to monitor the quarterly returns of judges.
Other members of the committee include Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour (Vice-Chairman), Justice Abubakar Yahaya, Justice Benedict Kanyip, Justice K. Zannah, and Hajiya Fatima Nana Mede.
