Senate confirms Justice Kekere-Ekun as CJN

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Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has been confirmed as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Kekere-Ekun was confirmed after the Senate screening on Wednesday in Abuja.

President Bola Tinubu had nominated Justice Kekere-Ekun and sent her name to the Senate on Tuesday, seeking her confirmation as the CJN.

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.

The letrer read, “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.”

Senate President Akpabio, who read Tinubu’s letter during plenary on Tuesday, then referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation on the next legislative sitting.

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.

The first female to occupy the exalted seat was Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who was the CJN between July 2012 and November 2014.

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.