The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Kekere-Ekun had been acting in that capacity since August, following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. She was accompanied by other Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Justices to the Senate Chamber at 12:30 pm on Wednesday.

The screening started at 12:47 pm and ended at 2:41 pm. She entered the chamber with other Justices after Order 12 of the Senate Standing Order was cited by Senator Bamidele to allow her and other visitors to enter the Chamber. It was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Oyewumi Olalere, PDP, Osun West. She was led by the Special Adviser to the President on Senate, Senator Basheer Lado.

Before the commencement of the screening, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, moved that there should be a re-order of the Legislative Business of the day to make the screening of Kekere-Ekun the first matter to be addressed.

With her confirmation, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is now the second Nigerian 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.

Answering questions from the Senators prior to her confirmation, Kekere-Ekun vowed to ensure zero tolerance for corruption in the Judiciary, just as she said that one of the things she is known for is integrity and strictness. She noted that when confirmed, she would ensure that petitions before the courts are dealt with speedily, and she assured that as CJN, she would ensure that the Judiciary is insulated from external influence. She also promised to push for better welfare for the Judiciary, especially in the area of infrastructure.

Justice Kekere-Ekun stressed the need for the nation’s institutions and people’s behavior to be strengthened before, during, and after elections, as that would help discourage going to courts on matters from elections.

Her confirmation followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request in a letter transmitted and read by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday. Tinubu said his request was pursuant to section 231(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which gives the president powers to appoint the CJN on the recommendation of the National Judicial Commission (NJC).

During the interview session, Justice Kekere-Ekun said she would leverage technology to ensure quick dispensation of justice in the country. She also said there would be no hiding place for corrupt individuals and criminals, while pledging to ensure that the judiciary remains independent of external influence.

Kudirat 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.

______________________________________________________________________

Nominations Open For Legal Leaders Awards 2025, Celebrating Excellence In Istanbul _____________________________________________________________________

For more information about the BRIPAN 2024 Annual International Conference, please contact the organizers at bripaninfo@gmail.com or call 09121114111. ______________________________________________________________________
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 35,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation ____________________________________________________