New CJN: Akpabio, Muktar set agenda for Kekere-Ekun

Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, yesterday, took the oath of office as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), with President Bola Tinubu reaffirming his administration’s commitment to upholding the judiciary’s independence and sanctity. Kekere-Ekun, the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history, was sworn in following her confirmation by the Senate.

The ceremony occurred at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, and was witnessed by four former chief justices of the Federation, including the first female Justice, Aloma Mukhtar; the President of the Court of Appeal, and other heads of judiciary divisions.

President Tinubu underscored the pivotal role of the judiciary in safeguarding Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, saying: ”The judiciary is an important pillar constituting the tripod that holds our constitutional democracy. Indeed, the Nigerian judiciary, at various times in history, has proven to be the moderating force ensuring everyone remains in check.

”Your role as the last hope of the common man serves to sustain our people’s confidence in democracy, knowing well that there is an important arbiter that can always give them redress if they are wronged.

For this function, it is important that our judiciary remains truly independent. It is my administration’s total commitment to preserve the sanctity of the judiciary.”

According to the President, while various arms have reasons to interface as complementing components of the same government, the government, under his watch, will be mindful of the clear line demarcating the various arms.

”We will never interfere or abuse the relationship between us as separate organs of government in our democracy. This is important for sustaining our constitutional democracy, ” he said. He urged Kekere-Ekun to continue to uphold the principles of ethical leadership, fearlessness and honesty that defined her career.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; former Chief Justices of Nigeria, justices of the Supreme Court, senior judicial officers, and members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) attended the event.

In her remarks, a former CJN, Justice Muktar, urged Kekere-Ekun to tow the path of uprightness as she navigates the task of dispensing justice. Fielding questions from newsmen after the ceremony held in the Council Chamber, Justice Muktar said: “I will tell her to hold on to God and to try and follow whatever path, which, I am sure, will be the right path. She should follow it, and if at any time she has a problem or a challenge, she should pray over it and God seeing that she always follows the right path, will make the situation clear to her.”

Akpabio, in his charge, advised the new CJN to work with other arms of government to ensure the stability of the polity and to make sure that decisions, particularly at the lower level and in the Court of Appeal, different divisions do not raise conflicting decisions on the same subject matter, describing it as worrisome.

“We want her to also bring improvement in terms of prison decongestion and then awaiting trials, we should speed up the wheel of justice and too many people are awaiting justice, particularly in land matters.”

MEANWHILE, Kekere-Ekun has said the Supreme Court of Nigeria handled 1,124 cases, comprising 435 civil appeals, 219 criminal appeals, and 89 political appeals in the outgone legal year.

Kekere-Ekun made the disclosure at a special session of the Supreme Court to mark the commencement of the 2024/2025 legal year, shortly after she was sworn as the CJN.

According to her, as part of efforts to improve the efficiency of the court, the Supreme Court, on February 26, 2024, appointed 11 new justices, achieving its full complement for the first time in several years.

According to the CJN during the year, the apex court delivered 247 judgments and rulings, showcasing its commitment to addressing cases promptly. Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that justices hold daily sittings from Monday to Friday, with Wednesdays dedicated to non-contentious matters and Fridays reserved for judgment delivery.

The CJN said as the new legal year approaches, plans are underway to operationalise the Supreme Court Mediation Centre, aimed at further alleviating court burdens and promoting resolutions outside traditional litigation.