President Bola Tinubu has today Friday 23rd 2024 sworn-in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, pending her confirmation by the senate.
Kekere-Ekun took the oath of office and signed the oath register at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, witnessed by Mr President, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and members of the National Judicial Council and the Nigerian Bar Association.
President Tinubu speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, urged Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to be faithful and loyal to the constitution and defend the judiciary’s independence.
Our correspondent, Raliat Adenekan reports that Mr President assured that his administration will continue to support, improve the welfare and capacity of the Nigerian Judiciary.
“Let me also reassure you that the judicial under this administration will continue to receive prompt and adequate attention in recognising its status as a driver of social order, rule of law, peace security and economic development
Undoubtedly the position of the CJN comes with enormous responsibilities as the head of all judicial Institutions in the country. It is a position of considerable influence that demands the temperance and sobriety, the occupant must eschewed the highest level of integrity in the discharge of duties. This is moreso because of the finality of the Supreme Court judgement . I therefore urge your lordship to be faithful and loyal to the constitution when discharging your duty as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria
I also encourage you to defend the judiciary’s independence always promote course of Justice, strengthen mechanism for integrity ,discipline and transparency in the judicial sector and pursue other reforms or initiatives to sustain public confidence in the judiciary” he said.
Speaking with State House Correspondent after the swearing in ceremony, the Acting CJN said she would work towards bringing judiciary to a greater height, build citizen’s trust in the judiciary system, improving on judges appointment processes amongst other areas.
Justice Kekere-Ekun.
“Well, my expectation is that we will take the judiciary to higher heights, the reputation that it has, we will improve it, we will make sure that people have more confidence in the judiciary. I believe that it’s not a one man job, we all have to be on board, and because we all see where the areas are that need improvement, I believe that there will be cooperation, because we all want to see a better judiciary.
A better judiciary is for the benefit of the entire nation, whatever the shortcomings that we see today, we’re all members of the society. So if you want to see improvement, let the improvement start with each and every one of us and our approach to justice. Let us also have faith in the system.”
The NJC had on August 15, after its 106th meeting, recommended Kekere-Ekun to the president to replace the outgone CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
She succeeds Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who assumed office on June 27, 2022, and bowed out on Thursday, 22nd August, 2024, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.
At 66, Kekere-Ekun is expected to serve until her retirement in 2028.
