Senate Approves Appointment Of Kekere-Ekun As CJN
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria after screening.
The development comes after President Bola Tinubu wrote the Senate on Tuesday, seeking for the screening and subsequent confirmation of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read President Tinubu’s letter upon resumption from the annual break the Upper Chamber embarked upon since July.
The letter stated, “Pursuant to 231(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 as amended which gives the power to the president powers to appoint the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) on the recommendation of the National Judicial Commission (NJC) and subject to confirmation of the Nigerian senate.
“I have the honour to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun CON for confirmation as CJN.
“While it is my hope that this request will receive the expeditious consideration and confirmation of the senate, please, accept distinguished senate president the assurances of my highest consideration and personal regards.”
Recall that Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was on 23rd August, 2024 sworn-in as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
She took her Oaths around 11:38am. With her confirmation, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is now the second Nigeria female jurist to serve as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, , is now the second Nigeria female jurist to serve as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who was the Chief Justice of Nigeria between July 2012 and November, 2014.
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 Nigeria female jurist to serve in that position.
Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom. Her journey in the legal profession commenced at the University of Lagos where she obtained her first degree in law in 1980.
After she completed the Nigeria Law School, she was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.
