The Senate has officially confirmed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, following a successful screening.
This confirmation follows a request from President Bola Tinubu, outlined in his letter to the Senate in accordance with Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who had been serving as Acting Chief Justice since the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, pledged to uphold a zero-tolerance stance on corruption in the judiciary during her screening.
She further assured that her leadership would safeguard the judiciary’s integrity by enforcing strict adherence to the code of conduct and addressing petitions promptly.
With her confirmation, Kekere-Ekun becomes the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second woman to assume the role, following Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who held the position from 2012 to 2014.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s screening took place before the Senate on Wednesday, after President Tinubu’s letter was presented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary.
During the screening, Kekere-Ekun stressed the need to resolve all pre-election cases at the Court of Appeal level.
“All pre-election cases will conclude at the Court of Appeal. I have zero tolerance for corruption,” she affirmed, stressing her firm stance against corruption within the judiciary.
In his letter, President Tinubu invoked Section 231(1) of the Constitution, which authorizes the President to appoint a Chief Justice, subject to the Senate’s confirmation and the recommendation of the National Judicial Council.
“I hereby forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as Chief Justice of Nigeria,” President Tinubu stated, urging the Senate to expedite the approval process.
The Senate President referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for review on Wednesday.
During the session, the Senate suspended its standing rules temporarily, allowing the presence of visitors, including Supreme Court judges, judicial officers, and senior aides to the President responsible for National Assembly matters.
