President Bola Tinubu has sworn-in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Acting Chief justice of Nigeria pending senate approval.
This was followed after President Bola Tinubu’s return from France, where he observed a brief work visit.
The new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was performed on Friday morning at the Council Chambers in the state House.
Upon Senate approval, Justice Kekere-Ekun will succeed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who bowed out on Thursday after clocking the retirement age of 70 years.
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The President also congratulated the retired CJN, Ariwoola, describing his spell in the judiciary as a successful public service career.
He commended him for his services to the nation.
“President Bola Tinubu congratulates Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, as he retires as Chief Justice of Nigeria after a successful public service career,” the statement read.
“President Tinubu will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on August 23, 2024.
“President Tinubu commends the eminent jurist for his services to the nation, noting his impactful leadership of the judiciary and his efforts in enriching Nigerian jurisprudence, as well as in strengthening the fibre of the law.”
Justice Ariwoola had served as Justice of the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos divisions before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.
He was sworn in as Chief Justice of Nigeria on September 21, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari and has also served the nation in diverse capacities as a judicial officer.
The sworn-in of Justice Kekere-Ekun was followed by the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).
NJC spokesman, Soji Oye, said that the decision was taken following the Council’s 106th Meeting presided over by the CJN Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
“This is imperative as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, will formally bow out of office as the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria next week Thursday, 22 August 2024,” the statement read.
The Supreme Court currently has the full complement of 21 Justices. In the long tradition of the apex court, the next most senior Justice will step in.
By their hierarchies, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is the most senior Justice on the apex court bench which puts her in the position to succeed Justice Ariwoola.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is one of the top female Justices in the nation’s apex court.
The 66-year-old jurist was born on May 7, 1958. She bagged her law degree from University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1981.
She thereafter proceeded to the London School of Economic and Political Science to obtain an LL.M. in November 1983.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s legal career started in Lagos as a private lawyer from 1985 to 1989.
In December 1989, she was appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II, Lagos State Judiciary. She later became a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996 and served as Chairman Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos from November 1996 to May 1999.
Kekere-Ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal on 22nd September 2004 where she served in various Divisions of the Court and as presiding Justice of two Divisions of the Court (Makurdi & Akure).
She was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the 5th female Justice of the Court and was sworn in on Monday 8 July 2013.
The incoming CJN has attended numerous courses and seminars within and outside Nigeria and also received several merit awards.
Currently, she is a life Bencher and a member of the International Association of Women Judges and currently its President.
She is happily married with children.
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