On Wednesday, the Senate commenced the screening of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
News About Nigeria reports that aside from the acting CJN’s screening, other accompanying judges of the Supreme Court, judicial officers, and senior assistants to the president on National Assembly matters were also admitted into the chamber for screening and confirmation.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday written the Senate seeking the confirmation of Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President had read Tinubu’s letter to the Senate during plenary on Tuesday.
In the letter, Tinubu cited Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers him to appoint the CJN based on recommendations from the National Judicial Council, pending Senate approval.
He also expressed confidence in her nomination, stating that he believes in her capacity to pilot the Nigerian judiciary right.
He, therefore, urged the Senate to act on his letter urgently.
Tinubu said, “I hereby forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I trust that this request will receive the Senate’s prompt consideration and approval.”
Kekere-Ekun has been serving as the acting CJN since Justice Ariwoola retired last month.
The 66-year-old jurist is the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second Nigeria female jurist to serve in that position.
She was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom. Her journey in the legal profession commenced at the University of Lagos where she obtained her first degree in law in 1980.
