The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat M.O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, has provided clarity on the provisions of Order 4 Rule 15 of the 2024 Supreme Court Rules, addressing widespread misconceptions about its implementation. The rule emphasizes strict timelines for filing legal processes in both civil and criminal appeals, with the exception of criminal cases involving capital punishment.
In a statement issued on November 19, 2024, the CJN highlighted that the rule limits applications for an extension of time to file processes to three opportunities. Once these opportunities are exhausted, no further applications will be entertained. This directive is part of the judiciary’s efforts to enforce procedural discipline and ensure timely resolution of cases.
However, the Supreme Court has clarified that applications to regularize processes filed before the 2024 Rules took effect will still be considered. This decision follows a resolution reached during a meeting of Supreme Court Justices held on October 10, 2024.
Part of the statement reads:
“It has come to my attention that there is a lingering misconception about the purport and intendment of Order 4 Rule 15 of the Supreme Court Rules 2024. By virtue of the said Rule, there is no provision for an application for extension of time to file a process in a civil or criminal appeal, except in a criminal appeal involving capital punishment. Parties are expected to comply with the timelines as provided. Once the
three opportunities to file the process have lapsed, there is no further opportunity to file the process.
“At our Justices’ meeting held on the 10″ day of October, 2024, it was agreed that where a process was filed out of time but there is a pending application to regularise that predates the commencement date of the Rules, the application will be treated by the court.”
