Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has been confirmed as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) following her screening by the Senate on Wednesday.
Kekere-Ekun, the second female to hold this position after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, was screened by Senators at the Committee of the Whole. She arrived at the chamber with other justices, including members of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
During the session, Kekere-Ekun vowed to uphold integrity and combat corruption within the judiciary. She emphasized her commitment to expediting court petitions and protecting the judiciary from external influence. She also pledged to improve the welfare of judicial staff, particularly in infrastructure development.
Kekere-Ekun, who had been acting in the role since the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, was nominated by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and endorsed by President Bola Tinubu.
Her confirmation follows President Tinubu’s formal request to the Senate, which he sent earlier this week, highlighting her qualifications and the NJC’s recommendation.
Kekere-Ekun, who was born in London in 1958, graduated from the University of Lagos in 1980 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. She was sworn in as the 23rd CJN by President Tinubu in August, making her the second woman to hold the post.
In her remarks, she stressed the importance of strong institutions to discourage unnecessary election-related court cases, underscoring her dedication to strengthening judicial processes in Nigeria.
