With 112 electrocution fatalities and 95 injuries recorded in Nigeria’s power sector in 2024, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged the judiciary to strictly enforce industry safety regulations.
Kekere-Ekun made the call on Monday while delivering a keynote address at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) 2025 Seminar for judicial officers in Abuja.
She emphasized the importance of courts holding operators accountable for violations that compromise public safety.
The seminar, with the theme, “Navigating the Dynamics of Nigeria’s Evolving Electricity Sector,” brought together key stakeholders to address emerging challenges in the power industry.
She said: “NERC’s latest reports reveal an alarming trend. One hundred twelve (112) electricity-related deaths and 95 injuries were recorded in 2024 alone. The judiciary must take a proactive stance in enforcing safety regulations.
“Operators who fail to comply must be held accountable, while victims and their families must be accorded the justice they deserve. The safety of our citizens must never be treated as incidental. It is a legal and moral imperative.”
She said the judiciary’s role in ensuring regulatory bodies like NERC operate within the law cannot be overstated.
The CJN further emphasized that the judiciary’s role in ensuring regulatory bodies like NERC operate within the law is indispensable.
Kekere-Ekun noted that although these powers are crucial for effective regulation, their exercise must be procedurally fair, transparent, and open to judicial review.
The CJN said courts must remain vigilant in reviewing delegated legislation to prevent arbitrariness, safeguard legitimate expectations, and ensure public participation in regulatory governance.
“By doing so, the judiciary brings the rule of law to life and fosters a legal environment that supports sustainable development.”
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