President Bola Tinubu has requested the Senate’s confirmation of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
This was announced in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during Tuesday’s plenary.
In the letter, Tinubu cited Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants him the authority to appoint the CJN based on recommendations from the National Judicial Council (NJC), Tinubu urged the Senate to act swiftly.
He expressed confidence in Kekere-Ekun’s nomination and requested immediate action.
“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,” the letter read.
Following this, Senate President Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation during the next legislaive session.
The NJC had earlier recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun in August, following the retirement of former CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, last month.
Kekere-Ekun, aged 66, has been serving as the Acting CJN since Ariwoola’s retirement.
Notably, Kekere-Ekun is the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second woman to hold the position, following Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who served as CJN from July 2012 to November 2014.
