Senior lawyers have called on the newly appointed Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to address the corruption and inefficiencies plaguing the judiciary.
This comes after President Bola Tinubu formally administered the oath of office to Justice Kekere-Ekun, making her the 23rd CJN following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who took office at 11:45 am on Friday, will serve in an acting capacity until confirmed by the Senate.
Her nomination by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on August 15 followed the retirement of her predecessor, Justice Ariwoola, at the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Prominent legal figures have expressed their expectations for Justice Kekere-Ekun’s tenure.
Chief Mike Ahamba, a constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), praised her as a no-nonsense judicial officer and urged her to tackle the persistent allegations of corruption within the judiciary.
He emphasised the need for firm action against any corrupt practices that might arise during her tenure.
Similarly, Chief Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN, the incumbent Chairman of the Body of Benchers, described Justice Kekere-Ekun as a disciplined and apolitical jurist.
He expressed confidence that she would uphold the integrity and honor of the judiciary, urging her to maintain high standards within and outside the court.
Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, highlighted the systemic challenges facing the judiciary, such as inadequate funding and case backlogs.
He urged the new CJN to prioritise judicial reforms and restore public trust through transparency, accountability, and fairness.
Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Adegoke, emphasised the need for significant reforms to rebuild public confidence in the judiciary.
He called on Justice Kekere-Ekun to adopt a firm stance on judicial discipline and ensure that judicial appointments are based on merit and integrity.
Stakeholders across the legal community have urged Justice Kekere-Ekun to use her authority to restore the integrity and honour of Nigeria’s judiciary.
They want her to address issues of corruption, enforce court judgments, and protect the judiciary from political interference, ensuring that it remains an impartial and independent arm of government.
