Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is set to swear in 87 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) on Monday at the main courtroom of the Supreme Court, marking the formal commencement of the 2024/2025 legal year.
According to a statement from the Director of Information and Public Relations, Festus Akande, the CJN will deliver a state-of-the-judiciary address aimed at highlighting the performance of the Supreme Court and the Nigerian Judiciary during the 2023/2024 legal year.
In addition, other prominent stakeholders in the justice sector will present speeches addressing the current state of the justice system in the country, including the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), among others.
The Supreme Court began its annual vacation on July 22, 2024, and while it resumed sittings on September 23, 2024, the formal ceremony for the new legal year adheres to the Court’s traditional practices. All activities marking the commencement of the new legal year are scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM in the main courtroom of the Supreme Court.
In a related development, the Senate confirmed Justice Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria on September 25, 2024, following her screening.
Her appointment comes after President Bola Tinubu sought her confirmation in a letter read by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during a plenary session.
In the letter, President Tinubu cited Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers him to appoint the CJN based on recommendations from the National Judicial Council, pending Senate approval. He expressed confidence in her nomination and urged the Senate to act urgently.
“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.
READ ALSO: Kekere-Ekun CJN: In her shoes – Part 2
Senate President Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation during the next legislative session. The National Judicial Council (NJC)had previously recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Tinubu as the successor to former CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
At 66 years old, Kekere-Ekun has been serving as the Acting CJN since Justice Ariwoola’s retirement last month. She is the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second female jurist to hold this position, following 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 journey at the University of Lagos, where she obtained her law degree in 1980. After completing her studies at the Nigerian Law School, she was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.
