Tinubu swears in Justice Kekere-Ekun as CJN

President Bola Tinubu on Friday swore in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) at the State House, Abuja.

She will operate in an acting capacity until her due confirmation by the Senate.

Justice Kekere-Ekun took her Oaths at about 11:38 am and took her rightful sitting position in the Council Chambers on the left-hand side of the President at exactly 11:45 am.

Justice Kekere-Ekun is assuming her new role as CJN following the retirement of her Predecessor, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and her nomination and presentation to President Tinubu by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on August 15.

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is now the second Nigeria female jurist to serve as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who was the Chief Justice of Nigeria between July 2012 and November 2014.

Among those who witnessed the event were other Justices of the Supreme Court; the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the leadership of the House of Representatives, represented by Prof Julius Ihonbvere; the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwoolu; and immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Also present at were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume; National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom. Her journey in the legal profession commenced at the University of Lagos where she obtained her first degree in law in 1980. After she completed the Nigeria Law School, she was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.

She was awarded a Master of Law in November 1983 at the London School of Economics.

Kekere-Ekun began her career in the judiciary as a Senior Magistrate II in the Lagos State Judiciary before being promoted to the status of State High Court Judge.

She also served as the Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja from November 1996 to May 1999.

Kekere-Ekun was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2004 in recognition of her contribution to the development of the judiciary.

Meanwhile, Tinubu has congratulated Justice Ariwoola, as he retires as Chief Justice of Nigeria after a successful public service career.

Justice Ariwoola had served as Justice of the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos divisions before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.

He was sworn in as Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2022 and had also served the nation in diverse capacities as a judicial officer.

President Tinubu commended the eminent jurist for his services to the nation, noting his impactful leadership of the judiciary and his efforts in enriching Nigerian jurisprudence, as well as in strengthening the fibre of the law.

The President wished him the very best for the future.