In a historic ceremony at the State House in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu administered the oath of office to Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, formally appointing her as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
This follows the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and her nomination by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on August 15.
News About Nigeria reports that Olukayode Ariwoola retired at the age of 70.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who assumed her position at 11:45 am, will serve in an acting capacity until her confirmation by the Senate.
Her appointment marks a significant milestone, as she becomes the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history, following in the footsteps of Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar.
The ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including justices of the Supreme Court, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwoolu, among others.
Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom. Her journey in the legal profession commenced at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where she obtained her first degree in law in 1980.
After she completed the Nigeria Law School, she was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.
She was awarded a Master of Law in November 1983 at 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 the Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, from November 1996 to May 1999.
Kekere-Ekun was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2004 in recognition of her contribution to the development of the judiciary.
