President Bola Tinubu has formally inaugurated Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN. She will temporarily hold the posi
President Bola Tinubu has formally inaugurated Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
She will temporarily hold the position of Acting CJN until the Senate confirms her appointment.
The swearing-in event occurred at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja on Thursday, August 22, 2024, following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Justice Ariwoola mentioned that he had signed off on the new court rules after they were reviewed by his successor, Justice Kekere-Ekun, along with other Supreme Court justices, including Justice Inyang Okoro, Justice Moronkeji Helen Ogunwumiju, Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, and Yakubu C. Maikyau, SAN.
He voiced concerns that the existing Supreme Court procedures were established back in 1985, during a period when modern technology, electronic transactions, and global communications were either non-existent or in their infancy.
Ariwoola’s retirement on Thursday, August 22, paved the way for Kekere-Ekun to step in as the Acting Chief Justice, pending the president’s endorsement and Senate confirmation.
Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, recommended by the National Judicial Council, NJC, to President Tinubu, is now positioned to take on one of Nigeria’s highest judicial roles.
Born on May 7, 1958, in London, UK, Justice Kekere-Ekun began her education in private primary schools before attending Queen’s College, Lagos, in 1970. She pursued legal studies at the University of Lagos, earning her LL.B degree in 1980, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in July 1981 after completing the Nigerian Law School.
Her legal journey began in private practice until she was appointed as a Senior Magistrate Grade II in the Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989.
Her judicial career advanced further when she was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996. During this period, she also served as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos, from November 1996 to May 1999, where she presided over some of the most challenging criminal cases.
Justice Kekere-Ekun was promoted to the Court of Appeal on September 22, 2004. Between June 2011 and July 2013, she served on the Court of Appeal’s ICT Committee, where she played a key role in enhancing the court’s technological capabilities.
