The Presidency revealed on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu will swear in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Friday.
Kekere-Ekun will replace the outgone CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola, who officially bowed out of public service today (Thursday) upon reaching the 70-year benchmark.
According to the Presidency, the swearing-in ceremony will take place on August 23, 2024, at the State House Council Chambers.
Kekere-Ekun’s swearing-in ceremony was made public by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale in a statement containing President Tinubu’s congratulatory message to Ariwoola which was released on Thursday evening.
The statement partly reads, “President Tinubu will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on August 23, 2024.”
While congratulating Ariwoola on his successful completion of public service, Tinubu commended his services to the nation saying, “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. The President thanks Justice Ariwoola and wishes him the very best for the future.”
News About Nigeria reported that the 22nd CJN officially retired from service on Thursday upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Justice Ariwoola who was born on August 22, 1954, was appointed to the Supreme Court bench on November 22, 2011, and later became the substantive CJN on June 27, 2022, following the resignation of his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad. His appointment as CJN was formally confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on September 21, 2022.