By Our Correspondent
Senate yesterday confirmed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s confirmation came after President Bola Tinubu wrote the Senate on Tuesday seeking for her confirmation as CJN.
Tinubu’s letter, which was read at plenary on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, cited Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers him to appoint the CJN based on recommendations from the National Judicial Council, NJC, pending Senate’s approval.
The president expressed confidence in her nomination and urged the Senate to act urgently.
“I hereby forward the nomination of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I trust that this request will receive the Senate’s prompt consideration and approval,” the president stated in his letter to the lawmakers.
After reading the message, Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation on the next legislative sitting.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who had been serving in acting capacity since August, was recommended to Tinubu by the NJC in August, succeed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Kekere-Ekun is the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and second female jurist to serve in that position, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who was the CJN between July 2012 and November 2014.
Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958 in London, United Kingdom. Her journey in the legal profession commenced at the University of Lagos where she obtained her first degree in law in 1980.
After completing the Nigeria Law School, she was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.
