The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
The Senate confirmed Justice Kekere-Ekun as the CJN after screening at the plenary in Abuja on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
Justice Kekere-Ekun while responding to questions said she had initiated several reforms as Magistrate and Court of Appeal Judge, especially on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
She pledged to uphold the integrity of the judiciary, rule of law, and defend the rights of Nigerians as the CJN.
To ensure the integrity of judicial officers, the CJN pledged to ensure full compliance of the code of conduct by judicial officers with zero tolerance for corruption.
On independence of the judiciary, she said the process of appointment of judicial officers would be transparently followed.
This, Justice Kekere-Ekun said, would give confidence to citizens, stating that she would work with the National Assembly to have laws that would further enhance judicial independence.
On issues of a myriad of cases at the Supreme Court, she said there was the need to limit the number of cases that get to the apex bank, noting that the Supreme Court was designed to be a court of law and court of policy that makes pronouncements on matters of national significance.
Justice Kekere-Ekun: I’ll make Nigerians have more confidence in judiciary
Justice Kekere-Ekun stated that she was of the view that pre-election matters should terminate at the Court of Appeal, saying efforts should be made further to strength the structures of government.
This, she said, would further give confidence to citizens and discourage them from seeking unnecessary litigations.
The confirmation comes after President Bola Tinubu wrote the Senate on Tuesday, September 24, seeking the confirmation of Kekere-Ekun as the CJN.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s letter during plenary in Abuja on Tuesday.
Tinubu stated: “I hereby forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“I trust that this request will receive the Senate’s prompt consideration and approval.”
The president sworn in Justice Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd and second female Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in an acting capacity, pending confirmation by the Senate, on August 23.
Tinubu to acting CJN: Be loyal to Nigeria’s constitution
It would be recalled that the National Judicial Council (NJC), in August, recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to Tinubu as successor to the former CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Justice Ariwoola bowed out of the bench on August 22 after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Justice Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom.
The jurist graduated with a Law degree from the University of Lagos in 1980. She was subsequently admitted to the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.
In her quest for further studies, she proceeded to the London School of Economics for a Master’s in Law which she completed in November 1983.
The CJN joined the Lagos State Judiciary as Senior Magistrate II after her return to Nigeria and rose to the level of State High Court Judge. She served as Chairman of Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja between November 1996 and May 1999.
Justice Kekere-Ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2004 as Justice. After nine years at the appellate court, she was elevated to the Supreme Court as Justice in July 2013.
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