Justice Kekere-Ekun takes oath as Nigeria’s 23rd CJN
August 23, 2024270 views0 comments
Business a.m.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has been sworn in as the acting chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Bola Tinubu. Kekere-Ekun will assume the role of CJN until her appointment is confirmed by the Nigerian Senate, at which point she will become the 23rd chief justice in the country’s history.
Kekere-Ekun was officially sworn in as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) at a ceremony held in the Council Chambers today, with the Oaths of Office taken at exactly 11:38 a.m. Justice Kekere-Ekun then assumed her rightful seat to the left of President Bola Tinubu at 11:45 a.m., a moment of great significance as she takes on her new role as the head of the Nigerian judiciary.
The appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to the position of acting CJN marks a significant milestone in the history of Nigeria’s judiciary, as she becomes only the second female jurist to hold the office after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who served as the CJN from July 2012 to November 2014.
The swearing-in ceremony of Justice Kekere-Ekun as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria was witnessed by high-ranking officials, including fellow justices of the Supreme Court, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the leader of the House of Representatives represented by Julius Ihonbvere, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and Justice Olukayode Ariwoola the immediate past chief justice of Nigeria,.
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Adding to the gathering of dignitaries present at the ceremony were George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF);Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA) Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president; and Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958 in London, United Kingdom. After obtaining her first law degree from the University of Lagos in 1980, she went on to complete the Nigeria Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.
After being called to the Nigerian Bar, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun furthered her legal education by completing a Master of Laws at the prestigious London School of Economics in November 1983.
The start of her judicial career saw her assuming the role of Senior Magistrate II in the Lagos State Judiciary, where her exceptional performance and commitment to the law eventually earned her a promotion to the position of State High Court Judge.
Her impressive track record and contributions to the legal system did not go unnoticed, as she was appointed chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja from November 1996 to May 1999. This exceptional service earned her recognition and promotion to the Court of Appeal in 2004, highlighting her significant contributions to the development and growth of the judiciary in Nigeria.