President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, August 23, officially swore in Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in an acting capacity, pending her confirmation by the Senate.
The ceremony took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who concluded a distinguished career in public service.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, aged 66, was recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for the position of CJN and is now poised to become the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second female to hold this esteemed office after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar. Her nomination was approved by President Tinubu on August 15, 2024.
With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Justice Kekere-Ekun brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role.
Here are 17 things to know about Justice Kekere-Ekun, the second female CJN:
1. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was born in London, UK, on May 7, 1958.
2. She is the second female Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in history.
3. Her parents are from Lagos State, Nigeria, and have had a significant influence on her life.
4. She is the eldest of eleven siblings.
5. Her father, Senator Hassan Adisa Babatunde Fasinro, was a senator, legal practitioner, author, and one of the founding fathers of Lagos.
6. Her mother, Mrs. Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu (née Savage), was a Public Health Nurse and built a career in the Lagos State civil service.
7. She attended Queen’s College, Lagos, and studied Law at the University of Lagos.
8. She obtained her LL.B in 1980 and was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.
9. She completed her mandatory National Youth Service Corps at the Ministry of Justice in Benin City.
10. She earned a master’s degree in Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 1983.
11. She worked in private practice before joining the bench to have a more predictable work schedule.
12. She was appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II by the Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989.
13. She was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996.
14. She was elevated to the Court of Appeal on September 22, 2004, and served in five different divisions.
15. She was the pioneer Presiding Justice of the Makurdi Division and served as the Presiding Justice of the Akure Division.
16. She was elevated to the Supreme Court on July 8, 2013, becoming the fifth woman to be promoted to the Apex Court.
17. She has served in various key roles, including Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos, and as a member of the Ethics Curriculum Planning Committee.
