The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and will forward her name to President Bola Tinubu for approval today. This follows the NJC’s 106th meeting, presided over by outgoing CJN Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who will formally retire on August 22, 2024.
If approved, Justice Kekere-Ekun will become the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history. The NJC also recommended 27 other candidates as judges of state high courts and one Khadi, whose names will be forwarded to their respective state governors and the President for approval.
The recommended candidates include six for the Kwara State High Court, one for Kaduna State, four for Benue State, and eight for Rivers State. Additionally, two candidates were recommended for the Benue State Customary Court of Appeal.
All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in after receiving approval from the President and their respective state governors.