The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Kekere-ekun was confirmed after she passed through the screening at the Senate plenary on Wednesday.
The development comes after President Bola Tinubu wrote to the Senate on Tuesday, seeking her confirmation as the CJN.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read Tinubu’s letter during plenary on Tuesday.
In the letter, Tinubu cited Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers him to appoint the CJN based on recommendations from the National Judicial Council, pending Senate approval.
The President expressed confidence in her nomination and urged the Senate to act urgently.
“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,” Tinubu stated in his message to the lawmakers.
Senate President Akpabio then referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation on the next legislative session.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) in August recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Tinubu as successor to the former CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
The 66-year-old jurist has been serving as the Acting CJN since Justice Ariwoola retired last month.
Kekere-Ekun is the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and second Nigerian female jurist to serve in that position.
The first female to occupy the exalted seat was Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who was the CJN between July 2012 and November 2014.
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