CJN Advises Judges On Proactive Case Management

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has admonished the country’s judges to adopt proactive case management strategies to tackle delays in the administration of justice.

She said this would strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.

The CJN, who spoke yesterday at the opening of the National Workshop on Case Management for Judges of the Superior Courts of Record, organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Abuja, asserted that the effectiveness of the judiciary is measured not only by the quality of its judgments, but also by the speed and efficiency with which cases are concluded.

She stressed that prolonged litigation, repeated adjournments, procedural abuse and poor scheduling practices continue to undermine access to justice, increase the cost of litigation and weaken public trust in the courts.

“To the ordinary litigant, justice delayed often translates into justice denied,” she said, adding that delays also create uncertainty for businesses and investors while eroding confidence in the rule of law”, she said.

Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that effective case management has become a defining indicator of judicial performance worldwide, urging judges to exercise greater control over proceedings, enforce timelines and make effective use of pre-trial procedures to reduce case backlogs.

The chief justice also encouraged judicial officers to embrace technology, including electronic filing, virtual hearings, digital case-tracking systems and automated scheduling tools, describing them as essential instruments for improving efficiency while maintaining fairness and due process.

Drawing lessons from jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Singapore and South Africa, she said active judicial leadership and structured case management have significantly improved court efficiency and reduced delays.

She acknowledged that increased commercial activity, constitutional litigation, and rising public expectations have placed greater demands on Nigeria’s judicial system, making continuous reforms and procedural discipline imperative.

The workshop, she explained, is designed to equip judges with practical strategies on docket control, electronic case management, scheduling practices, judgment delivery timelines and other measures aimed at enhancing justice delivery.

Justice Kekere-Ekun urged participants to reflect on existing practices, identify procedural bottlenecks and embrace reforms that promote efficiency without compromising fairness.

She expressed confidence that the workshop would provide practical solutions to reduce delays, improve judicial productivity, and build an efficient, technologically responsive judiciary worthy of public trust.

The Chief Justice thereafter declared the workshop open and wished participants fruitful deliberations.

Earlier, the National Judicial Institute (NJI) Justice Babatunde Adejumu, in his welcome address, called on judges of the Superior Courts of Record to adopt proactive case management practices as a key strategy to improve judicial efficiency and ensure timely justice delivery across Nigeria.

According to Justice Adejumo, effective case management is essential to reducing case backlogs, eliminating administrative bottlenecks, and preventing unnecessary delays in court proceedings.

The NJI administrator explained that modern case management requires judges to move beyond their traditional adjudicative role by actively supervising cases from filing to conclusion.

He explained that this approach enhances access to justice, promotes fairness, and strengthens public confidence in the judicial system.

While emphasising that judicial education and leadership training remain critical tools for equipping judges with contemporary case management skills, he added that the workshop provides an important platform for participants to exchange ideas, share best practices, and develop practical solutions to challenges affecting court administration.

The NJI Administrator encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions and contribute meaningfully to discussions aimed at improving the administration of justice in their respective courts.

Justice Adejumo also commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the NJI Board of Governors, Hon. Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, FNJI, for her steadfast commitment to judicial capacity building.

He further acknowledged the contributions of the Chairman of the NJI Education Committee, Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro, CFR, JSC, Heads of Courts, facilitators, and session managers for their continued support in advancing judicial excellence.

The workshop is expected to strengthen judges’ capacity to manage cases more efficiently, ultimately contributing to a faster, more responsive, and more effective justice system in Nigeria.