President Bola Tinubu on Friday swore-in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to serve in acting capacity until the confirmation by the Senate.
Justice Kekere-Ekun becomes the second female Chief Justice of Nigeria after Justice Mouktar Aloma, who was the first female CJN, following Justice Olukayode Ariwoola’s retirement.
President Tinubu while performing the swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Villa Abuja charged the new CJN with the responsibility of upholding Nigeria’s constitution, advancing the cause of justice, and enhancing the framework for integrity, discipline, and transparency within the country’s judiciary.
Tinubu said, “Undoubtedly the position of the CJN comes with enormous responsibilities as the head of all judicial Institutions in the country. It is a position of considerable influence that demands temperance and sobriety, the occupant must espouse the highest level of integrity in the discharge of duties. This is more so because of the finality of the Supreme Court judgement. I therefore urge your lordship to be faithful and loyal to the constitution when discharging your duty as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.”
The National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu for appointment as the CJN.
NJC made the recommendation at its 106th Meeting on August 14 and 15, which was presided over by the outgone CJN Justice Ariwoola.
Justice Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958. She obtained her LL. B in 1980 from the University of Lagos and LL.M from the London School of Economic and Political Science in November 1983. She was called to the Nigerian Bar on 10th July 1981.
From 1985 to 1989, she was in private practice and was later appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II in the Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989. She was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996.
She served as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos, from November 1996 to May 1999.
She was elevated to the Court of Appeal on 22nd September 2004, where she served in various Divisions and as presiding Justice of two Divisions of the Court (Makurdi & Aku) in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
She was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the 5th female Justice and sworn in on Monday, July 8, 2023.
She has attended numerous courses and seminars within and outside Nigeria and received several merit awards.
Justice Kekere-Ekun is a life Bencher, a Member of the International Association of Women Judges and its President.
