CJN Tasks Judges On Proactive Case Management To Reduce Court Delays

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, has tasked judges across the country to adopt proactive case management strategies to reduce delays in court proceedings, saying timely justice delivery is essential to strengthening public confidence in the judiciary.

Speaking 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) in Abuja, the CJN said 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 noted 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,” Justice Kekere-Ekun said, adding that delays also create uncertainty for businesses and investors while eroding confidence in the rule of law.

The Chief Justice said effective case management has become a defining indicator of judicial performance globally and urged judges to exercise greater control over proceedings by enforcing timelines, making effective use of pre-trial procedures and adopting measures that reduce the backlog of cases.

She also encouraged judicial officers to embrace technology, including electronic filing, virtual hearings, digital case-tracking systems and automated scheduling tools, describing them as indispensable for improving efficiency while safeguarding fairness and due process.

Drawing lessons from the judicial systems of the United Kingdom, Singapore and South Africa, Justice Kekere-Ekun said active judicial leadership and structured case management have significantly improved court efficiency and reduced delays in those jurisdictions.

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

According to the CJN, the workshop 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.

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

Justice Kekere-Ekun expressed confidence that the workshop would provide practical solutions for reducing delays, improving judicial productivity and building a judiciary that is efficient, technologically responsive and worthy of public trust.

Earlier, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, also urged judges of the Superior Courts of Record to embrace proactive case management as a key strategy for improving judicial efficiency and ensuring timely justice delivery.

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

He explained that modern case management requires judges to move beyond their traditional adjudicatory role by actively supervising cases from filing to conclusion, noting that such an approach enhances access to justice, promotes fairness and strengthens public confidence in the judicial system.

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

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

He also commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the NJI Board of Governors, Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun, for her commitment to judicial capacity building, while acknowledging the contributions of the Chairman of the NJI Education Committee, Justice John Inyang Okoro, Heads of Courts, facilitators and session managers for their continued support in advancing judicial excellence.

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