CJN Swears In 57 SANs, Calls for Legal Reform

CJN Swears In 57 SANs, Calls for Legal Reform

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday formally conferred the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 57 distinguished legal practitioners during a ceremony held at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja.

Speaking at the special Supreme Court session marking the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year, Justice Kekere-Ekun described the conferment as a moment of “solemn reflection and renewed commitment to the noble calling of justice.” She urged the new SANs to uphold the integrity of the rank, cautioning that the honour could be revoked if misused.

“This occasion is not merely a celebration of time passing, but a call to take stock, reflect on our challenges and achievements, and recommit ourselves to the ideals of justice, fairness, and service to the Nigerian people,” she stated.

The CJN also paid tribute to four eminent jurists who passed away during the last legal year, including former Chief Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais and three retired Supreme Court justices. She praised their “unwavering commitment to justice” and extended condolences to their families and to the families of judicial staff lost during the year.

Justice Kekere-Ekun highlighted key reforms implemented in the judiciary over the past year:

Petition Resolution: All pending cases before the National Judicial Council (NJC) were concluded, with appropriate sanctions and exonerations. A habitual petitioner was barred from further filings, and errant lawyers were referred to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

Court Modernisation: Digitization of court records and the establishment of a Court Records Processing Unit have streamlined case management and reduced missing files.

Improved Access to Justice: A Central Information Unit and Case Continuation Unit now enable lawyers and litigants to monitor case progress more efficiently.

Nationwide Digitization: The Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS) is set for full rollout, allowing e-filing of appeals and reducing delays.

Automation: The Supreme Court’s Notary Public Unit now operates with an Electronic Notary Register (ENR) for centralized tracking.

Staff Welfare: Salaries and allowances were paid promptly, welfare packages enhanced, and proactive engagement with JUSUN helped prevent industrial action.

The Supreme Court heard 2,280 matters, including 560 appeals, and delivered 369 judgments—an increase from the previous year’s 247.

On anti-corruption efforts, the CJN noted that the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) continued collaboration with agencies such as the EFCC, which secured 1,417 convictions in 2025, and the ICPC, which initiated 43 cases and achieved nine convictions.

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