The National Judicial Council has picked a new candidate as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
News About Nigeria reports that Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun is the chosen candidate.
The council made this decision after a recent meeting. The meeting was the 106th one held by the council.
The current Chief Justice, Olukayode Ariwoola, led the meeting.
Ariwoola’s retirement is scheduled for August 22.
New judges for state courts and a Sharia Court judge were also recommended by the Council.
In a statement on Thursday, NJC spokesman, Soji Oye, said the decision was taken following the Council’s 106th meeting, presided over by CJN Justice Olukayode Ariwoola
“This is imperative as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, will formally bow out of office as the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria next week Thursday, August 22, 2024,” the statement read.
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola was appointed as the CJN on September 21, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He is billed to bow out on August 22, when he will attain the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Already, the Supreme Court currently has a full complement of 21 justices. In the long tradition of the apex court, the next most senior Justice will likely step in.
By their hierarchies, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is the most senior Justice on the apex court bench and is the likeliest successor.
The NJC also “recommends twenty-seven (27) candidates for appointment as Judges of States Courts and a candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja, to their various State Governors and Mr. President.”
