The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Justice (Mrs.) Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for appointment as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria and successor to the current holder of the position, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who will formally bow out of office on 22nd August 2024.
Justice Kekere-Ekun is currently the second most senior justice of the Supreme Court, and if her recommendation sails through it would make her the second woman to hold this position in Nigeria.
The recommendation was made public in a statement on the NJC website today Thursday, August 15, 2024.
Apart from the new CJN recommendation, the council as also recommended 27 candidates for appointment as Judges of States Courts and a candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja to their various State Governors and President.
The shortlisted appointees are as follows:
CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA
Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR
SIX JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF KWARA STATE
Olawoyin Ibijoke Olabisi
Abdulrazaq, Fatimah Funsho
Folorunsho, Oba Muritala
Dikko, Yusuf Adebayo
Adeniyi, Oluwatosin Adenike
Osuolale-Ajayi, Temitope Olalekan
ONE JUDGE, HIGH COURT OF KADUNA STATE
Zubairu Murtala Ja’afaru
FOUR JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF BENUE STATE
Kor Vincent Tersoo
Ikwulono, Maigida Maimuna
Adagba Nguhemen Julie
Tor, Damian Tersugh
TWO JUDGES, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, BENUE STATE
Onche Ogah Inalegwu
Igba Theophilus Terhile
EIGHT JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF RIVERS STATE
Onyiri Frank
Ugoji Victor Chinedum
Obomanu, Godswill Vidal
Oguguo Rita Chituru
Fubara Alatuwo Elkanah
Kokpan Bariyima Sylvester
Obu Ibietela Innocent Madighi
Wifa-Adedipe, Lesi
SIX JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF ONDO STATE
Daomi Williams Adebisi
Fabuluje Adewumi William
Ogunwumiju Mobayonle Idowu
Demehin-Ogunbayo Inumidun Happiness
Kpemi Ojufisintei Justinah
Adegoroye Olufunke Adeola
ONE KADI, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, FCT ABUJA
Muhammad, Lawal Munir
All recommended candidates will be sworn-in after the approval of the NJC recommendations by the President and their respective State Governors.
