PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
Following her oath-taking on Friday afternoon, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun took office as Nigeria’s 23rd Chief Justice at a well-attended ceremony held at the State House, Abuja.
She will operate in an acting capacity until her confirmation by the Senate.
Justice Kekere-Ekun took her oaths at about 11:38 a.m. and took her rightful sitting position in the Council Chambers on the President’s left-hand side at exactly 11:45 a.m.
After Justice Olukayode Ariwoola retired, the National Judicial Council (NJC) nominated her and presented her to President Tinubu on August 15.
According to Persecondnews, Kekere-Ekun, the second female jurist to hold the position, follows in the footsteps of Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who served as CJN from July 2012 to November 2014.
Among those who witnessed the event were other Justices of the Supreme Court, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the leadership of the House of Representatives, represented by Prof. Julius Ihonbvere.
Also present were the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwolu, immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired AIG Nuhu Ribadu, the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris.
Born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom, Kekere-Ekun embarked on her legal career at the University of Lagos, graduating with a law degree in 1980.
On July 10, 1981, she received admission to the Nigerian Bar after completing her studies at the Nigeria Law School.
She furthered her education at the London School of Economics, earning a Master of Law degree in November 1983.
Kekere-Ekun launched her judicial career as a Senior Magistrate II in Lagos State, subsequently earning a promotion to State High Court Judge.
Her experience also includes serving as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, from November 1996 to May 1999.
Kekere-Ekun’s 2004 appointment to the Court of Appeal was a testament to her significant impact on the judiciary’s development.
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