Judges Canvass End to Pre-Election Cases, Say Political Party Must Resolve Disputes Internally

Wale Igbintade

Nigeria’s top judicial officers have called for an end to pre-election litigation, declaring that such disputes should no longer be entertained by the courts but handled internally by political parties.

They warned that the escalating volume of pre-election suits has become one of the most severe burdens on the Judiciary, clogging court dockets nationwide and frustrating the timely delivery of justice.

This position was one of the major resolutions adopted at the 2025 All Nigeria Judges’ Conference of the Superior Courts of Record, held at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Abuja, with the theme “Building a Confident Judiciary.”

Delegates, including Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, FCT High Court, State High Courts, and Sharia and Customary Courts of Appeal, said political parties must take responsibility for managing their internal processes rather than outsourcing conflicts to the court system.

They noted that pre-election disputes have contributed significantly to the backlog of cases before the courts, stretching judicial resources and distracting judges from other pressing matters of national importance.

At the conference, judges reiterated that the modernisation of court infrastructure and full digitalisation of judicial processes remain urgent national priorities.

Every court in Nigeria, they said, must benefit from modern, technology-driven justice delivery to improve speed, transparency, and public access.

They stressed that sustained judicial training, adequate welfare, and guaranteed independence remain crucial pillars for strengthening the justice system, while commending the National Judicial Institute for its role in judicial education and professional renewal.

Delegates further emphasised that judicial independence cannot thrive without adequate funding, urging the executive and legislature to demonstrate a collaborative commitment to strengthening the courts.

They reaffirmed that all arms of government must obey judicial decisions and stop the growing trend of disregarding court orders.

Where necessary, they said, government institutions should exercise their right of appeal rather than resort to deliberate disobedience, which undermines constitutional governance and democratic stability.

The conference underscored that public confidence remains the true currency of the Judiciary and called for uncompromising integrity at all levels.

Delegates urged the National Judicial Council to enhance its disciplinary functions by applying firm sanctions for misconduct while curbing frivolous petitions that damage judicial morale.

They also cautioned that injunctions should be granted with utmost restraint and in strict compliance with established principles to discourage abuse and self-induced urgencies.

In a bid to strengthen professionalism within the judiciary, participants resolved that courts of coordinate jurisdiction must avoid issuing conflicting orders.

They identified consistency, timely disclosure, and strengthened pre-trial case management as essential to preserving public trust and reducing delays.

The judges called for sweeping reforms across the justice sector, including enhanced legal aid services, improved police-prosecution standards, transparent justice data, and full implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

They advocated correctional centre reforms to reduce pre-trial detention and promote humane treatment of inmates.

Concerned about rising threats and attacks, delegates stressed that the security of judicial officers, their families, and court staff must be prioritised.

They urged security agencies to intensify awareness and provide proactive protection measures.

They also called for a constitutional review of the jurisdiction of the Sharia Court of Appeal and the Customary Court of Appeal to align them with contemporary needs and eliminate longstanding ambiguities.

Delegates highlighted that judicial training and reform efforts contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List, pledging continued support for anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and related frameworks.

They also advised the National Judicial Council to go beyond issuing commendation letters for exceptional judges, urging it instead to assess the quality of judgments submitted for elevation and performance evaluations.