On Monday, September 30th, President Bola Tinubu officially swore in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). The ceremony took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, marking Kekere-Ekun’s appointment as the 23rd CJN.
Last Wednesday, the Nigerian Senate confirmed Justice Kekere-Ekun, the highest-ranking justice of the Supreme Court, following a thorough two-hour questioning session with the senators. She had been serving in an acting capacity since August, after the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
During her screening, Justice Kekere-Ekun promised to ensure timely handling of petitions, aiming to strengthen the judiciary’s integrity. A Queens College alumna and a Life Bencher, she also pledged to uphold the rule of law and defend Nigeria’s Constitution.
Kekere-Ekun called for improved legislation to enhance Nigeria’s judicial independence and proposed that election-related cases should conclude at the Court of Appeal to reduce the burden on the Supreme Court. She emphasized that promoting better conduct during elections could minimize the need for legal disputes.
