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. Her nomination was approved by President Tinubu on August 15, 2024.
Born on May 7, 1958, Justice Kekere-Ekun boasts a distinguished academic and legal career. She obtained her LL.B in 1980 from the University of Lagos and followed it with an LL.M from the London School of Economic and Political Science in November 1983. She was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.
Justice Kekere-Ekun initially engaged in private legal practice from 1985 to 1989 before her appointment as Senior Magistrate Grade II in the Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989.
Her judicial career continued to ascend as she was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996, where she notably served as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos, from November 1996 to May 1999.
On September 22, 2004, Justice Kekere-Ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal, serving in various divisions and eventually presiding over two divisions, Makurdi and Akure.
Her distinguished service earned her a further promotion to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, where she became the 5th female Justice of the Court on July 8, 2013.
Throughout her career, Justice Kekere-Ekun has been recognized for her commitment to justice and her participation in various professional development programs both within and outside Nigeria.
Among these are the Case Management and Court Administration Training Workshop by the National Centre for State Courts in June 2001, an ICT Training Course in Dubai, UAE, in July 2012, and the 34th Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime at Cambridge University, UK, in September 2016.
Justice Kekere-Ekun gained national prominence in January 2020 as the lead judge in the controversial judgment that declared Hope Uzodinma the lawful governor of Imo State.
The decision, based on claims of uncounted results from 388 polling units, sparked widespread debate and solidified her reputation as a decisive figure in Nigeria’s judiciary.
As she steps into the role of Chief Justice, Justice Kekere-Ekun brings decades of legal expertise and a legacy of integrity and dedication to the judiciary. She is married and blessed with children.
