Tinubu swears in Justice Kekere-Ekun as 23rd CJN

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Justice Kekere-Ekun was sworn in at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, September 30, 2024.

The event had in attendance Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; and Ministers of Information, Muhammed Idris, FCT, Nyesom Wike; among others.

The swearing in of Kekere-Ekun as the substantive CJN followed her confirmation by the Senate last Wednesday, September 25.

President Tinubu had in August sworn in the new CJN in acting capacity following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Justice Kekere-Ekun becomes the 23rd CJN of Nigeria and the second woman to hold the position, after Justice Aloma Mukhtar.

Senate confirms Justice Kekere-Ekun as CJN

It would be recalled that the National Judicial Council (NJC), in August, recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to Tinubu as successor to former CJN Justice Ariwoola.

Justice Ariwoola bowed out of the bench on August 22 after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Justice Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom.

The jurist graduated with a Law degree from the University of Lagos in 1980. She was subsequently admitted to the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.

In her quest for further studies, she proceeded to the London School of Economics for a Master’s in Law which she completed in November 1983.

The CJN joined the Lagos State Judiciary as Senior Magistrate II after her return to Nigeria and rose to the level of State High Court Judge. She served as Chairman of Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja between November 1996 and May 1999.

Justice Kekere-Ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2004 as Justice. After nine years at the appellate court, she was elevated to the Supreme Court as Justice in July 2013.

The Star