By Gideon Maxwell
August 16, 2024
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has nominated Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun for appointment as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This recommendation follows the NJC’s 106th meeting held on August 14-15, 2024, and comes in anticipation of the retirement of the current CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on August 22, 2024.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who currently serves as a Justice of the Supreme Court, is the most senior judge in line for the position.
If confirmed, Justice Kekere-Ekun would be the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history, succeeding Justice Aloma Mukhtar.
The NJC’s statement, released by its Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, emphasised the necessity of this recommendation ahead of Justice Ariwoola’s retirement.
Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, born on May 7, 1958, in London, is a prominent Nigerian jurist currently serving as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
She earned her LL.B from the University of Lagos in 1980 and an LL.M from the London School of Economics in 1983, being called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981.
Kekere-Ekun began her judicial career as a Senior Magistrate in Lagos State in 1989, later becoming a High Court judge in 1996.
She was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2004 and appointed to the Supreme Court in 2013, making her the fifth female Justice in the Court’s history.
Notably, she presided over the controversial 2020 judgment that declared Hope Uzodinma the lawful governor of Imo State.
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Kekere-Ekun is also an advocate for gender equality in the judiciary, serving as the President of the International Association of Women Judges.
In addition to Justice Kekere-Ekun’s nomination, the NJC recommended 28 judges for various state courts and one candidate for the Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja. The recommendations include:
Recommended Judges:
Kwara State (6 Judges):
– Olawoyin Ibijoke Olabisi
– Abdulrazaq Fatimah Funsho
– Folorunsho Oba Muritala
– Dikko Yusuf Adebayo
– Adeniyi Oluwatosin Adenike
– Osuolale-Ajayi Temitope Olalekan
Kaduna State (1 Judge):
– Zubairu Murtala Ja’afaru
Benue State (4 Judges):
– Kor Vincent Tersoo
– Ikwulono Maigida Maimuna
– Adagba Nguhemen Julie
– Tor Damian Tersugh
Benue Customary Court of Appeal (2 Judges):
– Onche Ogah Inalegwu
– Igba Theophilus Terhile
Rivers State (8 Judges):
– Onyiri Frank
– Ugoji Victor Chinedum
– Obomanu Godswill Vidal
– Oguguo Rita Chituru
– Fubara Alatuwo Elkanah
– Kokpan Bariyima Sylvester
– Obu Ibietela Innocent Madighi
– Wifa-Adedipe Lesi
Ondo State (6 Judges):
– Daomi Williams Adebisi
– Fabuluje Adewumi William
– Ogunwumiju Mobayonle Idowu
– Demehin-Ogunbayo Inumidun Happiness
– Kpemi Ojufisintei Justinah
– Adegoroye Olufunke Adeola
Sharia Court of the FCT (1 Kadi):
– Muhammad Lawal Munir
These recommendations have been submitted for approval by President Tinubu and the respective state governors.
Upon approval, the new appointments will mark a significant transition in Nigeria’s judiciary, reinforcing the NJC’s commitment to enhancing judicial integrity and effectiveness.
