The Senate has confirmed Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
Kekere-Ekun’s confirmation was a sequel to the screening by the Senators at the Committee of the Whole on Wednesday.
Kekere-Ekun who appeared before the Senate at the Committee of the Whole of the Senate, arrived at the hallowed Chamber at 12.30.
The Screening started at 12.47 and ended at 2.41 pm.
She entered with other Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and others after Order 12 of the Senate standing Order was cited by Senator Bamidele to allow for her and other visitors to enter the Chamber. It was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Oyewumi Olalere, PDP, Osun West.
She was led by the Special Adviser to the President of the Senate, Senator Basheer Lado.
Before the commencement of the screening on Wednesday, the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central moved that there should be a re-order of the Legislative Business of the day to make the screening of Kekere-Ekun be the first matter to be addressed.
With her confirmation, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is now the second Nigeria female jurist to serve as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who was the Chief Justice of Nigeria between July 2012 and November 2014.
She was in the acting capacity for now as a result of the retirement of her Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and her nomination and presentation to President Tinubu by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on August 15.
Answering questions from the Senators before her confirmation, the then Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, vowed to ensure Zero Tolerance for Corruption in the Judiciary, just as she said that one of the things she is known for is integrity and strictness.
Kudirat Kekere-Ekun noted that when confirmed, she would ensure that Petitions before the Courts are dealt with Speedily, just as she has assured that as CJN, she would ensure that the Judiciary is insulated from External Influence, just as she has promised to push for better welfare for the Judiciary, especially in the area of Infrastructure.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has also stressed the need for the nation’s institutions and people’s behavior to be strengthened before, during and after elections as that would help discourage going to courts on matters from elections.
President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation
of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
President Tinubu’s letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio upon resumption from the annual break the Upper Chamber embarked upon since July.
The letter read, “Pursuant to 231(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 as amended which gives the power to the president powers to appoint the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) on the recommendation of the National Judicial Commission (NJC) and subject to confirmation of the Nigerian senate.
“I have the honor to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun CON for confirmation as CJN.
“While it is my hope that this request will receive the expeditious consideration and confirmation of the senate, please, accept distinguished senate president the assurances of my highest consideration and personal regards.”
Recall that Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was on 23rd August 2024 sworn-in as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
She took her Oaths around 11:38 am. She’s the second female Justice to hold the position.
Recall that after the brief ceremony, Justice Kekere-Ekun took her rightful sitting position in the Council Chambers on the left-hand side of the President.
Kudirat 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 she completed the Nigeria Law School, she was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.