The National Judicial Council (NJC) has scheduled a meeting for Friday, August 16, to select a successor to the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. Ariwoola is set to retire on August 22, when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.
According to a Supreme Court source, the NJC will forward the chosen name to President Bola Tinubu for consideration. The source revealed that the next most senior Justice, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is likely to succeed Ariwoola, following the traditional hierarchy of the apex court.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a valedictory session for August 22 to honor Ariwoola’s service to the country. Ariwoola became CJN on October 12, 2022, succeeding Justice Tanko Mohammed.
The NJC’s decision will be guided by Section 231 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the most senior justice of the Supreme Court will succeed the outgoing CJN.
