The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has blamed poor investigative processes, lack of thorough case preparation and delays in prosecution for the challenges of prolonged trials and prison congestion in the country.
Justice Kekere-Ekun urged the police and related agencies to ensure that investigations are completed before charges are filed, to prevent cases from being struck out due to lack of evidence. She advocated for enhanced coordination between the police, the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary to ensure seamless prosecution of cases.
According to a statement by her Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media, Tobi Soniyi, the CJN spoke in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun and his team.
She expressed concern over non-compliance with court orders by some law enforcement agencies, which she said, weakens the integrity of the justice system.
The CJN noted that the rule of law requires strict adherence to judicial decisions, adding that any act of disobedience undermines public trust in law enforcement and the judiciary. She urged the IGP to issue clear directives ensuring that court judgments and orders are respected and implemented without delay.