President Bola Tinubu is set to officially swear in Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on August 23, 2024. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the State House Council Chambers in Abuja, with dignitaries from across the country expected to attend.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, born on May 7, 1958, hails from Lagos State. Her father, Alhaji Senator H.A.B. Fasinro, was a notable legal practitioner and politician, while her mother, Mrs. Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu, was a dedicated public health nurse. Educated at prestigious institutions, Justice Kekere-Ekun earned her law degree from the University of Lagos in 1980, followed by a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the London School of Economics in 1983.
Her ascent in the legal field has been nothing short of remarkable. After beginning her career in private practice, she transitioned to the judiciary as a Senior Magistrate in Lagos in 1989. She was later appointed a Lagos State High Court judge in 1996 and was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2004. By 2013, she had reached the pinnacle of the judiciary as a Justice of the Supreme Court, where she has served with distinction.
The swearing-in follows the recent retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the 22nd Chief Justice of Nigeria, who stepped down after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. At a valedictory session held at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja, President Tinubu praised Ariwoola’s tenure, describing it as a testament to hard work, dedication, and service to Nigeria and humanity. Tinubu’s remarks came during the public presentation of Justice Ariwoola’s autobiography, “Judging with Justice,” where he lauded the former CJN’s contributions to the Nigerian judiciary.
As Justice Kekere-Ekun assumes the role of Chief Justice, Nigerians have high expectations. She is anticipated to spearhead reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability within the judiciary, a sector often criticized for its slow pace and susceptibility to corruption. Her leadership is expected to focus on improving the integrity of judicial processes, ensuring that cases are handled expeditiously and fairly.
Moreover, there is strong public demand that the judiciary under her stewardship remain impartial and deliver justice without fear or favour. In a country where the rule of law is critical to sustaining democracy, Justice Kekere-Ekun’s role will be pivotal in maintaining public confidence in the legal system.
Her swearing-in today will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Nigerian judiciary and set the tone for the future of legal and judicial reforms in the country. As the second female Chief Justice of Nigeria, succeeding Hon. Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, GCON, who served from July 2012 to November 2014, Justice Kekere-Ekun is well-positioned to lead Nigeria’s judiciary into a new era of transparency, fairness, and accountability.
