*Pledges Zero Tolerance For Corruption In Judiciary
THE Senate has confirmed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) after a screening process, following President Bola Tinubu’s letter, requesting her confirmation, as empowered by Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who has been serving as acting CJN since Justice Olukayode Ariwoola’s retirement last month, has vowed to enforce a zero-tolerance policy on corruption in the judiciary during her screening.
She also assured that her administration would maintain the integrity of the judiciary by ensuring full compliance with the code of conduct and promptly attending to petitions.
With this confirmation, Justice Kekere-Ekun becomes the 23rd CJN and the second female jurist to hold this position, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who served from July 2012 to November 2014.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, had on Wednesday, September 25, appeared before the Senate, for screening and confirmation, following the letter from Tinubu, which was presented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session.
During the screening, the new CJN emphasised the importance of concluding all pre-election matters at the Court of Appeal, adding that she has zero tolerance for corruption and would not tolerate any form of corruption in the judiciary.
In his letter to the Senate, Tinubu invoked Section 231(1) of the constitution, which empowers the President to appoint a CJN, subject to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and confirmation by the Senate.
Akpabio had referred her nomination to the Committee of the Whole for further deliberation on Wednesday, during which it temporarily suspended its Standing Rules, allowing the entry of visitors, including Supreme Court Justices, judicial officers and senior presidential aides on National Assembly matters.
