The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to succeed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
This nomination marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s judicial history, as Justice Kekere-Ekun is poised to become the 18th CJN and only the second woman to hold this prestigious position since the country’s independence.
The recommendation comes as Justice Ariwoola prepares to retire on August 22, 2024, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. The NJC, chaired by the outgoing CJN, made this decision during its two-day 106th meeting, which concluded on Thursday.
Soji Oye, the NJC’s Director of Information, released a statement detailing the council’s decisions. In addition to nominating Justice Kekere-Ekun for the role of CJN, the council recommended 26 candidates for judicial appointments across various state courts and one candidate for the position of Kadi of the Sharia Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s nomination adheres to the judiciary’s tradition of succession by seniority, as she currently holds the position of second most senior justice of the Supreme Court. Her appointment, however, still requires confirmation by the Senate, though no significant opposition is anticipated.
Born on May 7, 1958, in Lagos State, Justice Kekere-Ekun brings a wealth of experience to the role. Her legal career spans over four decades, beginning with her call to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981. She has served at various levels of the judiciary, including as a Senior Magistrate, High Court Judge, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and finally as a Justice of the Supreme Court since June 8, 2013.
Throughout her career, Justice Kekere-Ekun has been involved in numerous high-profile cases. Notably, she delivered the Supreme Court’s controversial judgment in January 2020 that removed Emeka Ihedioha as Imo State governor and instated Hope Uzodinma.
The outgoing CJN, Justice Ariwoola, assumed office in an acting capacity on June 27, 2022, following the unexpected resignation of his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad, due to health reasons. Justice Ariwoola’s tenure has been marked by efforts to address challenges within the judiciary, including conflicting court orders and perceived irrational decisions that have eroded public confidence in the judicial system.
In June, Justice Ariwoola publicly denounced the issuance of conflicting court orders by some judges, describing it as an “attempt to make a mockery of our judicial system.” He promised sanctions for judges found culpable, though no further developments on this matter have been reported.
The incoming CJN will face the task of continuing efforts to restore public trust in the judiciary and addressing ongoing issues such as case backlogs, inadequate infrastructure, and concerns about judicial independence.
The NJC’s recommendations also included nominations for judicial positions in various states: Six judges for the High Court of Kwara State, one judge for the High Court of Kaduna State, four judges for the High Court of Benue State, two judges for the Customary Court of Appeal, Benue State, eight judges for the High Court of Rivers State, six judges for the High Court of Ondo State, one Kadi for the Sharia Court of Appeal, FCT Abuja
These nominations will be forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the respective state governors for approval and subsequent swearing-in.
