NBA Decries Conflicting Court Judgments, Seeks Financial Autonomy For Judiciary

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed disappointment over conflicting judgments coming from the courts.

The body also condemned the practice of where the executive arm of government award contracts on behalf of the judiciary.

The legal body made the calls while briefing journalists ahead of its 2025 Law Week, where it also called for reforms to streamline pre-election litigations in the country.

According to the Akure Branch of the NBA, political parties should face legal consequences for violating democratic principles.

Chairman of the Akure Branch of NBA, Mr. Friday Umar, who made the call, noted that “sometimes, conflicting decisions arise from differences in judges’ perspectives” and acknowledged that the National Judicial Council (NJC) was making efforts to curb the trend.

Flanked by other branch executives, Umar said the NJC has introduced guidelines to prevent forum shopping—where litigants move cases from one jurisdiction to another in search of sympathetic judges.

He further warned that cases should be filed where the cause of action occurred to preserve judicial integrity.

NBA also commended the Ondo State Government for constructing the new judicial complex named after the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, but maintained that such projects should ideally be undertaken by the judiciary itself to preserve its independence.

Umar described this as a violation of judicial independence where governors award contracts for the construction of court buildings or purchase vehicles for judges.

He further disclosed that this year’s Law Week will focus on the theme: “Nigeria: Quest for a Utilitarian Judiciary and Roles for Stakeholders,” where a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, will deliver the keynote address.

According to Umar, the event will also feature a session on “Promoting Electoral Justice through Legislative and Judicial Systems,” led by Dr. Remi Olatubora (SAN), with Olumide Olujimi (SAN) and Adamson Adeboro (SAN) as discussants.

“For democracy to thrive, there must be a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour,” Umar said. “Electoral justice is critical because when the process is defective, the product—the government—will also be defective. Our communiqué at the end of Law Week will contain recommendations to strengthen the electoral and judicial systems.”