The Senate confirmed the appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Wednesday following her screening.
This confirmation followed a letter from President Bola Tinubu to the Senate on Tuesday, requesting her approval as CJN.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the President’s letter.
In the letter, Tinubu referenced Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which authorizes him to appoint the CJN based on recommendations from the National Judicial Council, subject to Senate approval. The President expressed confidence in her nomination and urged the Senate to expedite the process.
“I hereby forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I trust that this request will receive the Senate’s prompt consideration and approval,” Tinubu stated in his message to the lawmakers.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently referred Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun’s nomination to the Committee of the Whole for further deliberation during the next legislative session.
In August, the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu as the successor to former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
The 66-year-old jurist has been serving as Acting CJN since Justice Ariwoola’s retirement last month. Kekere-Ekun now becomes the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second female to hold the position.
The first female CJN was Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who served from July 2012 to November 2014.
Born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom, Kekere-Ekun began her legal career at the University of Lagos, earning her law degree in 1980.
She was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981, after completing the Nigeria Law School.