“Same Judgment Can Yield Multiple Meanings” – NILDS DG Calls For Consistency In Court Interpretations

The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, has emphasised the need for consistency and clarity in the interpretation of court judgments across Nigeria’s judicial system.

According to a statement on Tuesday, Sulaiman made the call during a one-day public dialogue on judicial reforms held in Abuja.

The dialogue, themed “One Judgment, Many Meanings: Navigating the Divergent Interpretation of Court Decisions in Nigeria,” brought together legal scholars, judges, lawmakers, and policy experts to interrogate the growing concerns around conflicting judicial interpretations in the country.

Sulaiman said the dialogue was timely and necessary, noting that in legal systems governed by precedent, consistency in judicial interpretation is fundamental to ensuring judicial integrity and public confidence in the courts.

He warned, however, that the increasing divergence in court interpretations threatens the predictability of the law and, by extension, the rights of litigants.

“The same judgment can yield multiple meanings not only among scholars but even within different tiers of the judiciary.
This phenomenon is not merely academic; it strikes at the core of the rule of law and the authority of the courts,” he noted.

He queried, “Are these divergences the product of judicial creativity or doctrinal confusion? Do they reflect healthy pluralism in legal thought, or do they undermine the coherence of our legal system?”

The NILDS DG expressed optimism that the calibre of experts present — including keynote speakers and panelists — would help provide clarity and chart a path forward.

He further assured all that any findings from the dialogue that require legislative action would be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.

“As the law evolves through interpretation, we must ensure that such interpretations uphold justice, clarity, and trust,” Sulaiman said, calling on all stakeholders to approach the discussion with open minds and a commitment to reform.

He concluded by reaffirming the Institute’s role as a leading research and policy institution supporting legislative development in Nigeria and thanked participants for honouring the invitation to the dialogue.