Meet Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun: Nigeria’s next Chief Justice, second female CJN
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, currently the most senior justice of the Supreme Court, is set to become the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) when Justice Olukayode Ariwoola retires on August 22, 2024. If appointed, Kekere-Ekun will make history as Nigeria’s second female CJN, following Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, who served from 2012 to 2014.
Justice Ariwoola, who assumed office on June 27, 2022, will retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. As the most senior justice, Kekere-Ekun is favoured to succeed him. At 66, she could potentially serve for up to four years, a longer tenure compared to the average two-year term of her recent predecessors.
Kekere-Ekun’s judicial career began in private practice before she was appointed Senior Magistrate Grade II in Lagos State in 1989. She became a High Court judge in Lagos in 1996 and later served as chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal. She was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2004 and then to the Supreme Court in 2013, making her the fifth female justice on the apex court.
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Over the years, Kekere-Ekun has garnered significant experience, including serving as presiding justice in various divisions of the Court of Appeal. She has been involved in numerous courses and seminars both within Nigeria and internationally and has received several merit awards.
Kekere-Ekun’s expected appointment comes at a time of transition in the judiciary, marked by controversies surrounding her predecessors. Justice Walter Onnoghen’s departure in 2019 was mired in accusations of asset declaration failures, while Justice Tanko Muhammad’s resignation in 2022 followed criticisms from fellow justices over his handling of their welfare.
As the incoming CJN, Kekere-Ekun will also head the National Judicial Council (NJC), overseeing judicial appointments, promotions, and discipline. Her appointment is anticipated to bring stability and continuity to the Supreme Court, especially given the recent controversies and frequent changes in the judiciary’s top position.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s rise to CJN reflects her extensive judicial experience and contributions to the Nigerian legal system, positioning her to lead the judiciary with both authority and historical significance.
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