On Wednesday, Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, appeared before the Senate for her screening and confirmation as the substantive Chief Justice. The session followed President Bola Tinubu’s letter to the Senate, seeking her confirmation, which was presented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary.
During her screening, Kekere-Ekun emphasized her stance on judicial integrity, declaring her zero tolerance for corruption. “All pre-election matters will terminate at the Court of Appeal. I have zero tolerance for corruption,” she firmly stated.
Justice Kekere-Ekun has been serving as the Acting CJN since August, following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. She was sworn in by President Tinubu and now stands as a candidate for Nigeria’s 23rd Chief Justice, and notably, the second female to hold the position in the country’s history.
President Tinubu’s letter cited Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint a Chief Justice based on recommendations from the National Judicial Council, subject to Senate confirmation.
In her screening, the Senate suspended its standing rules to allow visitors, including Supreme Court judges and senior presidential aides, to attend the proceedings, marking a significant moment in Nigeria’s judicial history.
