BREAKING: Tinubu Swears In Justice Kekere-Ekun As New Chief Justice Of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu on Friday, swore in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

She was sworn in at about 11:38am at the State House in Abuja, making her 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.

She will operate in an acting capacity until confirmation by the Senate.

The Eaglesforesight reports Justice Kekere-Ekun takes over the new role following her recommendation for the position by the National Judicial Council and the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Among the dignitaries who witnessed the swearing-in event were other Justices of the Supreme Court; the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the leadership of the House of Representatives, represented by Prof Julius Ihonbvere; the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwoolu; and immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Also present were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume; National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, one of Nigeria’s distinguished jurists, was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom. Her parents are both natives of Lagos State, Nigeria.

Justice Kekere-Ekun is the eldest of eleven siblings, born to a diverse and influential family.

She attended private primary schools before moving on to Queen’s College, Lagos, in 1970.

Her passion for law led her to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where she studied from 1977 to 1980. She proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, where she was called to the Bar in July 1981.

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She later earned a master’s degree in law from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 1983.

Justice Kekere-Ekun began her illustrious judicial career as a Senior Magistrate Grade II in Lagos in December 1989. Her dedication and expertise quickly propelled her through the ranks, and by July 19, 1996, she was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State.

Her judicial acumen was further recognized with her elevation to the Court of Appeal in September 2004, where she served in five different Divisions across Nigeria. Notably, she was the pioneer Presiding Justice of the Makurdi Division and later the Presiding Justice of the Akure Division.

On July 8, 2013, Justice Kekere-Ekun was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court, making her the fifth and youngest female to hold this esteemed position.

She is a member of the Supreme Court Rules Committee and the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the Litigation Department of the Court.

Her leadership roles have also included serving as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos, from November 1996 until the tribunal’s dissolution in May 1999.

She has also been honoured as a Life Bencher by the Body of Benchers since February 8, 2018.

Justice K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun has been married to Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun since December 1983. The couple has three children.