Idigbe Shares Insights on Enhancing Justice Delivery Under CJN Kekere-Ekun
Chief Anthony Idigbe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has called on Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to focus on strengthening the capacity of judicial officers and attracting top talent to the justice system.
Speaking in Abuja during the launch of a solar power system he donated to Veritas University, Idigbe emphasized the importance of improving both the personnel and processes involved in justice delivery in Nigeria. He stated, “If the CJN prioritizes these areas, her impact will be profound.”
Idigbe urged the CJN to implement strategies to retain current judicial officers while enhancing their skills, as well as attracting the best candidates into the judiciary. He noted, “A major challenge in the judiciary is its difficulty in attracting top talent.”
He highlighted the need for reforms in areas such as scheduling and case management, pointing out that while some changes require constitutional amendments, others can be achieved through regulatory reforms within the profession.
Agreeing with the CJN on the need for discretion regarding lawyers’ public opinions on ongoing cases, Idigbe stressed the importance of balancing public interest with the principle of sub-judice, which prohibits commentary on active legal proceedings.
The solar project, which took about nine months to complete with support from family and friends, includes panels installed in front of the Law Faculty building at Veritas University, which is named after his father, the late Justice Chike Idigbe (JSC).
Idigbe explained, “We have a long-standing relationship with the faculty. When I visited previously, I found the learning environment uncomfortable for students, which motivated me to gather resources for the solar system. I’m pleased to see this project come to fruition.”