The Senate has officially confirmed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session on Wednesday, following her clearance by voice votes.
Justice Kekere-Ekun was screened for nearly two hours, during which she faced a range of questions from lawmakers, particularly focused on judicial reforms. After the screening, she was unanimously cleared by the senators at the Committee of the Whole, in accordance with Section 231 (1) of the amended Nigerian Constitution.
Following her confirmation, Senate President Akpabio expressed confidence that under Kekere-Ekun’s leadership, the judiciary would deliver adequate justice to Nigerians. He also congratulated the newly confirmed Chief Justice and urged her to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary.
During her screening, Justice Kekere-Ekun strongly emphasized her commitment to combating corruption within the judiciary. She made clear her stance against any form of judicial corruption, stating, “I have zero tolerance for corruption.”
Additionally, she outlined her judicial philosophy, explaining that all pre-election cases would be settled at the Court of Appeal, reinforcing her commitment to streamlining the judicial process and ensuring timely justice.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s confirmation follows her nomination by President Bola Tinubu, who had earlier sworn her in as Acting Chief Justice in August after the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. The nomination letter from President Tinubu was presented to the Senate during Tuesday’s plenary session by Senate President Akpabio.
In his letter, Tinubu invoked Section 231(1) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint a Chief Justice based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), subject to Senate confirmation.
Tinubu’s letter read, “I hereby forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I trust that this request will receive the Senate’s prompt consideration and approval.” The Senate President subsequently referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is now Nigeria’s 23rd substantive Chief Justice, making her the second woman in the country’s history to hold this prestigious position. During her confirmation session, the Senate temporarily suspended its standing rules to allow a number of distinguished guests, including Supreme Court justices, other judicial officers, and senior presidential aides on National Assembly matters, to enter the chamber and observe the proceedings.
Her appointment has been met with optimism from various quarters, with many anticipating that her leadership will usher in significant reforms and strengthen the judiciary’s role in maintaining justice and rule of law in Nigeria.
