Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun will be sworn in as Chief Justice of Nigeria by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today.
The swearing-in ceremony has been scheduled for today August 23, 2024, at the State House Council Chambers.
Kekere-Ekun succeeds Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired on Thursday, as the 23rd CJN.
The President “will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on August 23, 2024,” said his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
Tinubu also congratulated Ariwoola, whose stint in the judiciary he described as a “successful public service career,” commending him for his services to the nation.
He congratulated Ariwoola on his successful public service career in a statement signed by Ngelale.
Ariwoola was officially appointed as CJN by former President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2022, months after he replaced former CJN Tanko Muhammad as interim CJN.
Before being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2011, he had served the country in various capacities as a Justice of the Court of Appeal in the Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos divisions.
“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.
“The President thanks Justice Ariwoola and wishes him the very best for the future,” the statement further read.
Last week, Justice Kekere-Ekun was recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to President Tinubu as Ariwoola’s successor.
The decision, as disclosed by NJC spokesman Soji Oye in a statement, was made after the Council’s 106th Meeting, which was chaired by 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 21 justices. In the long tradition of the apex court, the next most senior Justice will step in after retirement of the serving CJN.
According to their hierarchies, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is the highest-ranking Justice on the apex court bench, which makes her eligible to assume the role of Justice Ariwoola.
On May 7, 1958, the 66-year-old jurist was born. She bagged her law degree from University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1981.
Subsequently, she went to the London School of Economics and Political Science to obtain an L. L. M in November 1983.
From 1985 to 1989, Justice Kekere-Ekun worked as a private lawyer in Lagos, beginning her legal career.
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.
On September 22, 2004 she was elevated to the Court of Appeal and worked in various Divisions of the Court, most notably as the presiding Justice for two Divisions of the Court (Makurdi & Akure).
On Monday, July 8, 2013, she took her seat as the 5th female justice in the Supreme Court of Nigeria after being elevated.
At present, she serves as a life bencher and a member of the International Association of Women Judges, where she holds the position of President.
Read More
