Kekere-Ekun sworn in as CJN, to serve in acting capacity
By Emma Ogbuehi
Her appointment yet to be confirmed by the Senate as required by the 1999 Constitution, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has, nevertheless, been sworn in as the 18th Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
She will, however, operate in acting capacity until confirmation by the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.
TheNiche had reported on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu was set to swear in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria Friday, August 23, 2024.
Justice Kekere-Ekun took her Oaths around 11:38am and took her rightful sitting position in the Council Chambers on the left hand side of the President at exactly 11:45am.
Justice Kekere-Ekun is assuming her new role as CJN following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and her nomination and presentation to President Tinubu by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on August 15.
Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is the second Nigerian female jurist to serve as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who was the Chief Justice of Nigeria between July 2012 and November, 2014.
Among those who witnessed the event were other Justices of the Supreme Court; the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the leadership of the House of Representatives, represented by Prof Julius Ihonbvere; the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwoolu; and immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Also present at were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume; National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom. Her journey in the legal profession commenced at the University of Lagos where she obtained her first degree in law in 1980. After she completed the Nigeria Law School, she was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.
She was awarded a Master of Law in November 1983 at the London School of Economics.
Kekere-Ekun began her career in the judiciary as a Senior Magistrate II in the Lagos State Judiciary before being promoted to the status of State High Court Judge.
She also served as the Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja from November 1996 to May 1999.
Kekere-Ekun was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2004.