PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, on Friday, August 23, swore in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd and second female Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), in acting capacity, pending confirmation by the Senate.
Following the ceremony, held at the State House, Abuja, Justice Kekere-Ekun takes over from Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired on Wednesday, August 22, at the age of 70.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who was earlier nominated and presentation to the President by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on August 15, and the second female CJN, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar (July 2012 to November, 2014), took her Oaths around 11:38am and took her rightful sitting position in the Council Chambers on the left hand side of the President at exactly 11:45am.
The ceremony was witnessed other Justices of the Supreme Court; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; leadership of the House of Representatives, represented by Prof Julius Ihonbvere; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Justice Ariwoola; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila; and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris.
Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom and started her journey in the legal profession commenced at the University of Lagos, where she studied Law in 1980.
She was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981 after attending the Nigeria Law School. She earned a Master of Law in November 1983 from the London School of Economics.
Kekere-Ekun began her career in the judiciary as a Senior Magistrate II in the Lagos State Judiciary before being promoted to the status of State High Court Judge.
She also served as chair of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja from November 1996 to May 1999.
She was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2004 in recognition of her contribution to the development of the judiciary.
