Nigerian Advocate Urges Radical Judicial Reforms Under New Acting Chief Justice

In a statement, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba, has called for radical and transformational judicial reforms under the newly sworn-in Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. Agbakoba emphasized that the judiciary urgently needs a radical transformation, which Kekere-Ekun should champion.

Agbakoba noted that the late Justice Dahiru Musdapher was the last CJN to attempt to champion judicial reform. Musdapher set up a high-powered 29-person committee that produced a transformational report, but unfortunately, he only had six months in office. Despite presenting far-reaching reforms to the constitutional structure of the Judiciary, the initiative was forgotten soon after.

Agbakoba, who was a consultant on Speed of Justice under Musdapher, believes that the potential legacy of the new CJN is transformational and radical reform, with the fundamental objective of case management driving how the courts work. He urged Kekere-Ekun to prioritize this reform to ensure a more efficient and effective judiciary.

The statement comes as Kekere-Ekun takes office, marking the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s judicial system. With Agbakoba’s call for radical reforms, the stage is set for a significant overhaul of the country’s judicial system.