President Bola Tinubu will today Friday swear in Justice (Mrs.) Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, CFR, as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria and successor to Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who left the office on Thursday, after a valedictory session in his honour in Abuja.
Kekere-Ekun’s swearing-in ceremony happens at the State House Council Chambers.
Making the announcement via a statement on Thursday, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said: “The President will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on August 23, 2024.”
In keeping with established customs, as the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, will be assuming the role as Ariwoola’s successor.
Tinubu also congratulated Ariwoola, whose stint in the judiciary he described as a “successful public service career,” commending him for his services to the nation.
He congratulated Ariwoola on his successful public service career in a statement signed by Ngelale.
Former president, Muhammadu Buhari swore in Ariwoola as CJN in October 2022, months after he replaced former CJN Tanko Muhammad in an acting capacity.
He had also served the nation in diverse capacities as Justice of the Court of Appeal in the Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos divisions before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.
“President Tinubu commends the eminent jurist for his services to the nation, noting his impactful leadership of the judiciary and his efforts in enriching Nigerian jurisprudence, as well as in strengthening the fibre of the law.”
Justice Ariwoola joined the Supreme Court on November 22, 2011, and subsequently assumed the role of Chief Justice of Nigeria on June 27, 2022, after the resignation of his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad.
During a valedictory session held in his honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja, Justice Ariwoola highlighted the pressing need for reforms to reduce the overwhelming burden on the apex court.
In his address, Justice Ariwoola emphasized that the Supreme Court is inundated with cases that should have been resolved at the appellate court level, thereby contributing to significant delays in the judicial process. He pointed out that the right to a fair hearing is compromised when litigants and lawyers have to wait several years for their cases to be adjudicated.
Justice Ariwoola called for the appointment of more judicial officers to ensure timely adjudication of cases and stressed the importance of implementing measures to streamline the number of cases reaching the Supreme Court.
The retirement event was attended by several dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who has been recommended by the National Judicial Council to succeed Justice Ariwoola as CJN. Justices of the Supreme and Appeal Courts were also present at the ceremony.
Following the valedictory session, a public presentation of the book Judging With Justice, written in honour of Justice Ariwoola, was held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Justice Ariwoola was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011, after serving as a Justice of the Court of Appeal from 2005 to 2011. His legal education began at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife, where he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree with honours in July 1980. He was called to the Bar in July 1981.
Ariwoola was appointed acting CJN in June 2022 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad on health grounds. He was confirmed and sworn in as CJN in October 2022.
