President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). The swearing-in ceremony took place on Monday at the council chambers of the Aso Rock Villa, following her confirmation by the Senate the previous week.
Kekere-Ekun becomes the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second woman to hold the position in the nation’s history. Prior to this, she had been serving as the acting CJN since the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola in August.
During her Senate confirmation hearing, Kekere-Ekun outlined the judicial reforms she plans to implement. She emphasized her commitment to modernizing the judiciary by introducing digital technologies to improve efficiency. She stated that digitization of the courts would make it easier to track cases, and judges could be held accountable if they fail to handle cases in a timely manner.
In particular, Kekere-Ekun highlighted the issue of delays in criminal cases, noting that virtual hearings would be encouraged to expedite the judicial process. By using virtual platforms, criminal matters can be resolved more swiftly, addressing one of the main causes of delays the failure to produce defendants in court.
Additionally, she revealed her plans to focus on prison decongestion, ensuring that this issue is tackled regularly. Virtual hearings, she explained, would play a key role in fast-tracking cases and helping to prevent unnecessary delays in criminal trials.
