By Joke Kujenya
NIGERIA’s SENATE has confirmed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
This confirmation follows a thorough screening process, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s recommendation.
Justice Kekere-Ekun pledged to strengthen the judiciary by enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and ensuring compliance with the judicial code of conduct.
Her commitment to safeguarding judicial integrity was a key focus during the screening session.
She stressed that pre-election cases should end at the Court of Appeal to expedite legal processes.
Assuming Office as 23rd CJN
Justice Kekere-Ekun took over as Acting Chief Justice after Justice Olukayode Ariwoola retired.
She is now the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second woman to hold this prestigious role, following Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar.
President Tinubu’s Recommendation
Her confirmation resulted from a letter President Tinubu submitted to the Senate, invoking Section 231(1) of the Constitution, which grants him the authority to appoint a Chief Justice subject to Senate approval.
In his letter, President Tinubu emphasized the necessity of quick action on Kekere-Ekun’s nomination to maintain the stability of the judiciary.
During the Senate’s plenary, Kekere-Ekun addressed several issues.
She expressed her firm stance on eliminating corruption within the judiciary and emphasized the importance of accountability among judicial officers.
She also reiterated that her administration would prioritize the swift resolution of cases, particularly those related to elections, to ensure the judiciary remains efficient.
Her approach involves leveraging technology to digitalize court processes, which would help reduce delays in legal proceedings.
She noted her intent to implement reforms aimed at enhancing transparency in the appointment of judicial officers.
This, she said, will strengthen public trust in the judicial system.
Moreover, Kekere-Ekun’s successful confirmation reflects positive feedback from security agencies, which indicated no petitions or objections to her appointment.
Senate Leader Bamidele Opeyemi confirmed that the screening followed constitutional requirements, and Kekere-Ekun’s responses demonstrated her readiness to uphold the rule of law.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated her on the appointment, urging her to fulfill her promises, particularly in delivering justice fairly to Nigerians.
During the session, the Senate temporarily suspended its rules to allow the presence of prominent visitors, including Supreme Court justices and senior government officials.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also emphasized the need to reduce the number of cases reaching the Supreme Court, allowing it to focus on national significance issues.
She highlighted that this approach would alleviate the burden on the judiciary and enhance the quality of justice delivered to citizens.
Moreover, she pledged to address the issue of conflicting judgments within the judiciary.
By ensuring adherence to proper legal procedures, she aims to restore consistency and reliability in court rulings.
As part of her future plans, Kekere-Ekun promised to enhance the efficiency of court systems through the adoption of digital technologies.
This initiative will speed up case processing and reduce bureaucratic delays that currently plague the judiciary.
Kekere-Ekun’s confirmation as Chief Justice marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s judicial history.
Her leadership, she vows, will focus on upholding integrity, fairness, and technological advancement within the judiciary.
