President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to leave for France today, August 23, 2024, shortly after returning to Nigeria this morning to officiate the swearing-in of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
This morning, at about 11:38 am, Tinubu administered the oath of office to Justice Kekere-Ekun at the State House in Abuja, marking her as the second female jurist in Nigerian history to hold the position of Chief Justice, following Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who served from July 2012 to November 2014.
Justice Kekere-Ekun will initially serve in an acting capacity pending Senate confirmation. She steps into this role following the National Judicial Council’s recommendation and the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including Supreme Court Justices, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives leadership represented by Prof Julius Ihonbvere, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and former Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. Other key attendees included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris.
It’s worth noting that President Tinubu had initially been in France but returned to Nigeria early this morning specifically to carry out the swearing-in of the new CJN.
