The chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has said lawyers who comment on matters that are under judicial consideration will be dealt with unambiguously.
She made this statement on Wednesday when she appeared before the senate for screening as CJN.
Kekere-Ekun said those who partake in such acts would not have anywhere to hide.
“Speaking on social media, condeming the judiciary, commenting on cases that are sub judice will not have anywhere to hide, they will be dealt with decisively,” she said after Senate President Godswill Akpabio asked her a question.
The senate president mentioned that a number of lawyers have a habit of commenting on cases that are under judicial consideration on social media and television and asked if there would be punishment for them.
The 23rd CJN, however, said social media would not in any way influence the decisions of judges under her watch.
“We have taken an oath of office to take to do our jobs without fear or favour and they won’t be influenced by social media,” she said.
“However, it is true that there is a lot that goes on in social media and other fora and it portrays the judiciary in bad light.”
Kekere-Ekun also said she would guarantee the independence and integrity of the court by enforcing the code of conduct of judicial officers and ensuring they have good welfare.
“One thing I am known for is integrity and I am known gor discipline. To ensure independence of the judiciary, I will ensure that the code of conduct [for judicial officers] is enforced,” she said.
“For the NJC, we are going to ensure that petitions are going to be dealt with speedily. Also for upholding the integrity of the judiciary, it is to insulate it from external influence.
“We are grateful to President Bola Tinubu for increasing the salaries of judicial officers, but there is still a way to go. I will ensure that they [judicial officers] have better welfare.”
The CJN also said that there should be a limit to the ilk of cases that get to the supreme court because “it is a policy court”, stressing that this would help lessen the backlog of cases the apex court has to decide.