Justice Kekere-Ekun Confirmed as New CJN

Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has appeared before the Senate for screening and confirmation as the substantive CJN. President Bola Tinubu had sent a letter to the Senate requesting Kekere-Ekun’s confirmation, citing Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution.

Kekere-Ekun has made a bold statement against corruption, declaring that all pre-election matters will terminate at the Court of Appeal under her watch. She has also vowed to have zero tolerance for corruption in the judiciary.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for further deliberation, and the screening was scheduled for Wednesday.

Kekere-Ekun’s confirmation would mark a significant milestone for the judiciary, making her only the second female Chief Justice in the nation’s history.

The Senate, in recognition of the importance of the occasion, suspended its standing rules to allow visitors, including Supreme Court judges and senior presidential aides, to enter the chamber during the screening session.

With her bold stance against corruption and commitment to transparency in the judiciary, Justice Kekere-Ekun has presented herself as a worthy candidate for the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Her nomination comes at a crucial time for the judiciary, as it continues to navigate the challenges of ensuring justice and fairness in the face of mounting public scrutiny and calls for reform.

Should she be confirmed by the Senate, Kekere-Ekun will be entrusted with the important responsibility of leading the Nigerian judiciary, setting the tone and direction for the country’s highest courts and the administration of justice.

As the potential head of Nigeria’s judiciary, Justice Kekere-Ekun’s confirmation would not only make history but also set the stage for critical reforms that could shape the future of justice in the country.

Among the issues that she may be called upon to address are concerns over judicial independence, corruption, and the efficiency of the court system.

Her zero-tolerance approach to corruption, if implemented effectively, could mark a turning point in the fight against graft in the judiciary, helping to restore public confidence in the legal system.

References and Citations:

• Punch – Breaking: senate screens Kekere Ekun for CJN post
• Vanguard – Breaking: senate confirms Kekere Ekun as second female CJN
• Daily Post – Nigerian senate confirms Justice Kekere Ekun as CJN