CJN Seeks Stronger Bench-Bar Partnership to Drive Judicial Reforms
By Fact Harbour News
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called for sustained collaboration between the Judiciary and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), saying the success of ongoing judicial reforms depends on a strong partnership between the Bench and the Bar.
The CJN made the remarks while receiving the outgoing leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), during a courtesy visit to her office in Abuja.
Justice Kekere-Ekun said judges and legal practitioners share a common responsibility to strengthen the administration of justice, uphold the rule of law, and improve public confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system.
She commended the outgoing NBA leadership for maintaining a cordial working relationship with the Judiciary and for supporting the implementation of the newly introduced Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS) at the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to modernising court processes through technology, noting that improvements would continue to be made to the electronic filing platform based on feedback from lawyers and other users.
In his remarks, NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) pledged the association’s continued support for the successful implementation of the NCMS and the Supreme Court (Mandatory Upload of Electronic Copies of Processes, Records of Appeal and Other Matters) Practice Directions, 2026.
He described the electronic filing initiative as a significant step toward modernising Nigeria’s justice delivery system, adding that the legal profession remains committed to ensuring its effective implementation.
However, Osigwe expressed concerns over certain provisions of the new Practice Directions and called for comprehensive user manuals, training materials, and stakeholder engagement to help legal practitioners adapt to the digital filing system.
Responding to the concerns, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, explained that the Practice Directions were designed to simplify court procedures and improve efficiency rather than create obstacles for lawyers and litigants.
Akanbi disclosed that user guides and training resources had already been prepared to support the transition to the electronic filing system. He also urged the NBA to nominate representatives to work closely with Supreme Court officials during the implementation phase to ensure a smooth rollout.
The Nigerian Case Management System was officially unveiled by the Chief Justice last week as part of broader efforts to digitise court operations, reduce delays in the judicial process, and enhance access to justice through technology.
Legal stakeholders have described the initiative as a major milestone in Nigeria’s judicial reform agenda, expressing optimism that the adoption of digital tools will improve efficiency, transparency, and case management across the country’s courts.
