By Joke Kujenya
PRESIDENT BOLA Tinubu will preside over the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as Nigeria’s new Chief Justice on Friday.
This follows the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who stepped down after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
President Tinubu commended Ariwoola for his service, acknowledging his impactful leadership in the judiciary.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, confirmed the event.
The ceremony will take place at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, a seasoned jurist, will take over from Justice Ariwoola, whose tenure was marked by significant contributions to Nigerian jurisprudence.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) had recently recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun for the role, a decision made during its 106th meeting chaired by the outgoing Chief Justice.
Her appointment continues the tradition of elevating the most senior Justice to the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria.
She is a distinguished legal professional with a long and illustrious career.
Born on May 7, 1958, she obtained her law degree from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981.
She later earned a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1983.
Her career on the bench began in Lagos, where she served as a Senior Magistrate before being appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State in 1996.
She was later elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2004, serving in various divisions, including as the presiding Justice of the Makurdi and Akure divisions.
In 2013, Justice Kekere-Ekun joined the Supreme Court of Nigeria, becoming one of the few female Justices to reach this level.
She has also held several significant roles within the judiciary, including Chairperson of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal in Lagos and membership in the Supreme Court Rules Committee.
Justice Kekere-Ekun is highly regarded for her integrity and commitment to justice.
She has been instrumental in handling cases related to financial crimes and money laundering, reflecting her expertise and dedication to the rule of law.
Her appointment as Chief Justice is seen as a continuation of her exemplary service to the Nigerian judiciary.
As she steps into this new role, Justice Kekere-Ekun is expected to bring her wealth of experience and dedication to further strengthen the legal system in Nigeria.
