The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged judges, particularly heads of courts, to guard against forum shopping, concealment of related proceedings and attempts to obtain conflicting orders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kekere-Ekun said election-related disputes often attract intense public interest and considerable pressure on the courts, requiring judicial officers to remain impartial and strictly adhere to the law.

She spoke in Abuja on Monday at the opening of the 2026 Roundtable for Heads of Courts, organised by the National Judicial Institute.

The CJN said the judiciary must be prepared to handle politically sensitive cases without allowing public sentiment or pressure from any quarter to influence judicial decisions.

“The judiciary must be prepared to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with impartiality, courage and fidelity to the law.

“Political sensitivity, public sentiment or the urgency with which a matter is presented must never displace the careful application of the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the applicable rules of court,” she said.

Kekere-Ekun urged heads of courts to establish appropriate administrative arrangements for the timely and orderly handling of election-related cases.

“Judicial officers must be reminded of the need to scrutinise applications carefully, insist on full and frank disclosure of relevant facts, pay due regard to related proceedings and resist any attempt to use urgent applications or ex parte orders to secure an improper advantage.

“The integrity of judicial proceedings must not be compromised by competing political interests or pressure from any quarter,” she added.

The CJN described forum shopping as particularly damaging to the judiciary, warning that the practice undermined consistency, encouraged abuse of court processes, and exposed the institution to avoidable public controversy.

“Your Lordships must therefore ensure that existing procedural safeguards are observed and that appropriate steps are taken whenever attempts to circumvent established judicial processes come to light.

“No litigant should be permitted to manipulate the judicial system in search of a favourable decision. Public confidence in the judiciary will be tested during this period,” she said.

She reminded heads of courts of their responsibility to ensure that election-related cases were handled competently, expeditiously and strictly in accordance with the law.

The CJN also expressed concern over delays in the determination of cases, describing timely justice delivery as one of the most pressing challenges confronting the judiciary.

According to her, delays impose financial and emotional burdens on litigants, diminish the practical value of judicial remedies and weaken public confidence in the justice system.

“While some causes of delay arise from inadequate funding, infrastructure and judicial manpower, others can be addressed through effective administration.

“Inefficient docket management, repeated adjournments, poor scheduling and failure to monitor inactive cases can prolong proceedings unnecessarily,” she said.

Kekere-Ekun urged heads of courts to monitor their caseloads, identify cases that had remained pending for long periods and develop strategies to reduce backlogs.

“Every head of court should have a clear understanding of the condition of the court’s docket, including the number of pending cases, their age, the categories experiencing the greatest delays and the reasons for their continued pendency.

“This information should inform realistic strategies for reducing backlog, improving the allocation of hearing dates and ensuring that concluded matters are promptly removed from the active docket,” she said.

However, she cautioned against measuring judicial efficiency solely by the number of cases disposed of, stressing the need to protect litigants’ rights.

“Efficiency, however, must not be measured solely by the number of cases disposed of. It requires cases to be determined fairly, competently and within a reasonable time, with the right to fair hearing fully protected,” the CJN added.

On judicial appointments, Kekere-Ekun called for transparent, fair and merit-based selection processes, urging heads of courts to resist external pressure and prioritise competence, character and suitability.

She said, “Public confidence in the judiciary depends, in part, on the assurance that those entrusted with judicial office have emerged through rigorous and credible processes.”

The CJN also urged heads of courts to promote professional standards, support the development of judicial officers and foster an institutional culture that upholds impartiality and accountability.

She further directed them to establish mechanisms to ensure that judges commenced sittings on time and that litigants and lawyers were promptly informed whenever court sessions were cancelled.

Describing punctuality as a professional responsibility, she said it “must be treated as a professional obligation, not a matter of personal preference.”

Kekere-Ekun said it was unacceptable for lawyers and litigants to travel long distances at considerable expense only to discover upon arrival that their cases would not be heard.

She urged heads of courts to ensure that court registries had reliable procedures for notifying affected parties of changes to sitting schedules.

On courtroom conduct, the CJN said judicial authority should be exercised with fairness, composure and respect.

“Every litigant, regardless of social status, financial means or education, deserves dignity, while lawyers are entitled to courteous treatment. Firmness and courtesy are entirely compatible. A judge can control proceedings without humiliating counsel or a litigant,” she said.

She also directed heads of courts to ensure that courtrooms remained professional environments free from bullying and harassment.

The CJN called for sustained investment in judicial support staff, including registrars, research officers, administrative personnel and information technology workers.

She also urged judicial authorities to introduce structured mentorship programmes under which newly appointed judges would work with experienced judicial officers for a defined period before sitting independently.

Earlier, the Administrator of the NJI and retired President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, said the judiciary remained under constant public scrutiny because of its role as custodian of justice and guardian of the rule of law.

He said the responsibility placed on judicial leaders required them to safeguard the institution’s image and shape positive public perceptions.

Adejumo described the annual roundtable as an opportunity for heads of courts to exchange views on common challenges and collectively develop solutions.

He said the programme was deliberately designed to minimise external intervention and allow heads of courts to direct discussions and determine outcomes.

The retired judge also commended Kekere-Ekun for the reforms she had introduced, which he said had strengthened judicial independence and enhanced integrity across all levels of the judiciary.

Source: punchng.com

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The Nigerian Air Force has disclosed plans to receive additional aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles as part of its ongoing fleet modernisation programme, following the delivery of five helicopters in September 2026.

The expected platforms include 24 M-346 fighter/ground-attack aircraft, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, 12 Aksungur unmanned combat aerial vehicles, seven AW109 Trekker helicopters, six T-129 ATAK helicopters, three CASA C-295 medium airlifters, two CH-4D unmanned aerial vehicles and one H-225 multi-role helicopter.

The platforms, totalling 67, are expected to strengthen the Air Force’s capabilities in intelligence gathering, air strikes, close air support, surveillance and troop and equipment transportation.

Speaking in an interview published in October 2026 by the Defence Correspondent Magazine, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said the service modernisation programme was being pursued as a long-term capability development initiative rather than merely an acquisition exercise.

“The modernisation programme is progressing, and we are deliberately approaching it as a long-term capability development programme rather than simply an acquisition exercise.

“Several additional platforms remain expected under the broader modernisation programme. These include:24 M-346 fighter/ground-attack aircraft, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, 12 Aksungur unmanned combat aerial vehicles, seven AW109 Trekker helicopters, six T-129 ATAK helicopters, three CASA C-295 medium airlifters, two CH-4D unmanned aerial vehicles and one H-225 multi-role helicopter,” he said.

Aneke disclosed that five helicopters were delivered in September, comprising three AW109 Trekker helicopters and two H125 helicopters.

According to him, the AW109 Trekker helicopters would enhance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed reconnaissance and combat search and rescue, while the H125 helicopters would improve rotary-wing availability and provide commanders with greater flexibility across operational theatres.

“Within the period covered by our one-year assessment, five new helicopters were delivered in September 2026. These comprised three AW109 Trekker helicopters and two H125 helicopters.

“The AW109 Trekker provides enhanced capabilities for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed reconnaissance and combat search and rescue, while the H125 enhances rotary-wing availability and gives commanders greater flexibility across multiple theatres.

“Aircraft availability is continuously monitored because acquisition only creates capability when platforms are available, serviceable and supported by trained personnel,” he said.

Aneke added that its priority was to ensure that newly acquired platforms were properly inducted, crewed, maintained and integrated into its operational structure.

“Our focus is therefore not simply on how many aircraft have arrived, but on ensuring that they are properly inducted, crewed, maintained and integrated into the operational structure,” the NAF chief said.

He also identified predictive maintenance and timely logistics support as key priorities for sustaining the operational value of the aircraft throughout their life cycle.

“The objective is not simply to increase the size of the Nigerian Air Force fleet, but to close critical capability gaps, improve operational flexibility and provide commanders with the right platforms for different mission sets,” he said.

He added that the programme was aimed at building a balanced and technologically enabled force with improved capacity for precision strikes, air mobility, intelligence gathering and other missions required to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

Source: punchng.com

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The Senate has assured Nigerians that legislation to establish state police will be enacted before the end of the year, following the approval of the constitutional amendment by the required 24 state Houses of Assembly.

The assurance came as the Ondo State House of Assembly, on Monday, passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to establish the State Police Services in Nigeria.

The lawmakers passed the bill during the plenary session after it scaled second and third readings, with all members present supporting its passage.

Earlier, Osun, Adamawa, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Zamfara, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Ekiti, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Abia, Yobe and Kaduna states had passed the bill, making the two-thirds constitutionally required for the passage by the National Assembly.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, in an interview with The PUNCH, said the National Assembly was determined to conclude the process before the Christmas break.

Adaramodu said the proposed legislation was a priority in the ongoing constitution review process and would be considered expeditiously once the necessary proposals were received from the executive.

“On the constitution review matter, we all know that the one on the front burner now is the state police bill.

“Already, we have promised Nigerians that before the end of this 10th National Assembly, a new police law will be enacted for Nigerians. And then, before we even leave for Christmas, it would have been done,” he said.

His assurance comes as the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill submitted the draft National Policing Bill, 2026, and 29 consequential amendment bills to the Ministry of Justice for legislative drafting review and validation.

The working group, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the ministry was expected to return the validated drafts by October 30 before the group would give them final consideration and present them to President Bola Tinubu for approval and subsequent transmission to the National Assembly.

Gbajabiamila had earlier said the proposed bill was 90 per cent ready and would be transmitted to the National Assembly on October 29.

However, Adaramodu declined to comment on the executive’s proposed timeline, saying the Senate would wait until it formally received the bills.

“Well, we cannot pass comment on what the executive said until we receive correspondence from them,” he said.

The Senate spokesman also dismissed concerns over delays in securing state-level approval for the constitutional amendment, explaining that the 30 days was intended for the state legislatures to submit their inputs.

“All those things (state approvals) will be brought to us, and we will put them under consideration because we are still going to hold a conference to address it.

“Again, you need to understand that the 30-day deadline is not for us. It is for the states to send in their inputs. And they have been doing that,” he said.

Adaramodu expressed confidence that the process would be concluded before the end of the year, insisting that the proposed law was necessary to strengthen the country’s response to insecurity.

“There’s nothing to worry about. The policing bill will be done expeditiously as we promised and it will become law before the end of this year, by the grace of God. We are determined,” he said.

He added that lawmakers would ensure that relevant stakeholders had the opportunity to contribute to the proposed framework, given its implications for communities across the country.

“This is a popular bill. We know that it’s what Nigerians want and need. So, definitely we are not going to waste a minute on it.

“It’s only that we have to make sure that all stakeholders, critical ones, and even the ones that are not seriously critical, have input. This is because it concerns every community in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, state police would improve the enforcement of security laws and strengthen efforts to tackle killings, abductions, banditry and terrorism.

“We want to put an end to all these incessant killings, abductions, and activities of these marauders, bandits and terrorists in Nigeria. So, we have enacted a lot of laws in the National Assembly to deter them. The only thing we need now is the enforcement.

“But if the state police are on ground, enforcement will be better done and more effective than a centralised police force in Nigeria. So, that’s where all Nigerians are now. But as I said, it will be done expeditiously,” he added.

Also speaking, the senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, said the approval by 24 state assemblies meant the constitutional amendment had met the required threshold and would return to the National Assembly for verification.

“Well, now that 24 state assemblies have concurred to the state police bill, it will come back to us.

“What this means is that we have met the constitutional threshold. So, if it comes back to the Senate, we will verify all the things sent,” Umeh said.

He said the National Assembly supported decentralised policing because of Nigeria’s size and the need to bring security operations closer to communities.

“We in the National Assembly support state police for the simple reason that Nigeria is a very large country, so much that policing it will require some level of decentralisation.

“We cannot continue to have one central police force to provide security to Kebbi, Calabar, Sabon Gari, Ikot Abasi and all the far ends of this country. No, we must decentralise it to have two police commands, especially state police, to get nearer to the grassroots,” he said.

Umeh argued that state-based policing would improve intelligence gathering and enable security agencies to respond more quickly to threats.

“That way, syndication of intelligence would be easy. This is because where you have a state commander for the state and the person is an indigene of the state, it is one good thing to achieve. It means people who are policing the various states are indigenes of those states,” he said.

He contrasted the proposed arrangement with the existing centralised system, arguing that officers posted to states where they had limited local knowledge could face challenges understanding security threats in their areas of deployment.

He said state police commanders would have greater familiarity with local conditions and face stronger pressure to address security challenges in their jurisdictions.

“Every security issue is local. Through the intelligence of people in that state, we will be able to respond on time. Every criminal hides in the community, and there is a tendency they would be known to the locals,” Umeh added.

The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to alter Section 214 of the Constitution to replace the existing Nigeria Police Force with a Federal Police Service and State Police Services.

The Senate passed the Sixth Alteration Bill on June 24, followed by the House of Representatives. The National Assembly subsequently transmitted it to the 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16 for consideration.

Speaking in plenary in Ondo before the passage of the bill, the majority leader of the Assembly, Mr Olatunji Oshati, moved the motion for the passage and was seconded by Allen Oluwatoyin, who represents Ese Odo state constituency.

‎Oshati said the lawmakers had carefully considered the implications of the proposed amendment for the citizenry, stating that the establishment of state police would address the numerous security challenges confronting the country.

‎In his remarks, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Olamide Oladiji, described the proposed establishment of the state police as long overdue, noting that the “bill would enable security agencies to respond swiftly to crime and other security concerns.”

‎He said, “State policing would help reduce crime through improved intelligence gathering and proactive security measures.”

‎‎He then directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Benjamin Jaiyeola, to transmit the document to the National Assembly, along with the state legislature’s observations.