The National Judicial Institute has strongly defended the occurrence of conflicting judgments and orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction, stating they do not represent judicial failure in Nigeria.
Judicial Differences Are Natural
Justice Babatunde Adejumo, the Administrator of NJI, made this declaration during a media briefing in Abuja ahead of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges' Conference. He addressed recent conflicting orders from courts in Abuja and Ibadan concerning the Peoples Democratic Party's national convention.
Justice Adejumo emphasized that such differences in judicial opinions are an inherent aspect of any justice system and actually contribute to the evolution and clarification of legal principles. He explained that judges base their decisions on the specific facts and evidence presented in each case, along with their understanding of the law.
"Judges give judgments based on the facts presented before them and the evidence presented," the former President of the National Industrial Court stated. He pointed to the United States judicial system as an example, noting that even in one of the world's oldest and most sophisticated legal systems, state courts often deliver differing opinions on similar matters.
Appellate Courts Provide Resolution
The judicial leader clarified that Nigeria's court hierarchy exists precisely to resolve such conflicts. When lower courts issue conflicting decisions, the matter can progress through the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court for final determination.
"Whatever the Supreme Court decides becomes final and binding," Justice Adejumo asserted. He did, however, caution that while lower courts aren't bound by decisions of courts at the same level, it would constitute "judicial rascality" for a lower court to contradict a judgment from a higher court.
He specifically noted that once the Supreme Court has ruled on a matter, no division of the Court of Appeal or any lower court should issue a contrary decision, except for the purpose of clarifying interpretation ambiguities.
Proposed Reforms to Minimize Conflicts
Despite defending the natural occurrence of conflicting judgments, Justice Adejumo acknowledged the need for procedural reforms. He proposed that litigants should be required to swear an affidavit confirming they haven't presented the same matter before any other court.
Breaching such rules would amount to perjury, creating a stronger deterrent against forum shopping and multiple litigation on identical issues. This reform aims to reduce the incidence of conflicting orders while maintaining judicial independence.
Reflecting on his extensive 30-year judicial career, Justice Adejumo shared insights from his tenure as President of the National Industrial Court. He recounted the court's significant institutional evolution, which began with only two divisions in Lagos and Abuja and just 123 staff members in 2003.
Through sustained advocacy efforts, he championed the enactment of the National Industrial Court Act of 2006 and later secured a constitutional amendment that established the court as a superior court of record. This achievement required extensive consultation with the National Assembly and endorsement from 33 state assemblies.
The amendment elevated the NICN to become the fourth-highest court in Nigeria's judicial hierarchy and granted its president full membership in both the National Judicial Council and Federal Judicial Service Commission.
Justice Adejumo described the National Judicial Institute as "the heartbeat of the Nigerian Judiciary" - a crucial forum where judges interact with the public, legal professionals, and journalists to assess and enhance judicial performance. He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening judicial education through the institute.
The administrator also took the opportunity to clarify common misconceptions about the judicial process, stressing that judges do not engage in "voyages of discovery" to secure convictions. He emphasized that in criminal cases, guilt must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, and any element of doubt must be resolved in favor of the accused.
"It is better for one hundred guilty persons to go free than for one innocent person to be wrongly convicted," Justice Adejumo stated, underscoring the fundamental principle of justice that guides judicial decisions.
He expressed optimism that the upcoming 2025 All Nigerian Judges' Conference would further deepen judicial understanding, enhance professional standards, and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria's justice system.
