The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria after screening.
Kekere-Ekun is the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and second Nigeria female jurist to serve in that position.
The Senate’s confirmation on Wednesday comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent a letter to the Senate on Tuesday to confirmation her.
According to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu’s letter (read during plenary on Tuesday) quoted Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint the CJN based on recommendations from the National Judicial Council, pending Senate approval.
It said: “I hereby forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I trust that this request will receive the Senate’s prompt consideration and approval.”
Senate President Akpabio then referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation on the next legislative sitting.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) in August recommended the 66-year-old jurist Acting CJN since Justice Olukayode Ariwoola retired last month.
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.
