President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate’s approval for the appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the President’s letter during the Senate’s plenary session on Tuesday.
In the letter, Tinubu referenced Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants him the authority to appoint the CJN upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, subject to Senate confirmation.
The President expressed confidence in Justice Kekere-Ekun’s nomination and urged the Senate to expedite its consideration.
“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 referred Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun’s nomination to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation during the next legislative session.
In August, the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Tinubu as the successor to former Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
The 66-year-old jurist has been serving as Acting CJN since Justice Ariwoola’s retirement last month.
Justice Kekere-Ekun is the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second female jurist to hold the position. The first was Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who served as CJN from July 2012 to November 2014.
Born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom, Justice Kekere-Ekun began her legal career at the University of Lagos, where she earned her law degree in 1980.
She was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981, after completing the Nigerian Law School.