President Bola Tinubu will swear in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) today, August 23, 2024, at the State House Council Chambers in Abuja. Justice Kekere-Ekun will take over from Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who officially retired on Thursday after a distinguished career in the judiciary.
This unexpected development follows President Tinubu’s decision to cut short his official trip to France to personally oversee the transition of judicial leadership. The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, confirmed the ceremony and praised Justice Ariwoola for his contributions to the nation’s legal system, describing his tenure as impactful and transformative.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s appointment marks a historic moment as she becomes the second woman to hold the highest judicial office in Nigeria. Her illustrious career includes her tenure as a Justice of the Court of Appeal across Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos divisions, and her elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011. She is widely respected for her legal acumen and her contributions to Nigerian jurisprudence.
President Tinubu also extended his gratitude to Justice Ariwoola, commending his leadership in the judiciary and wishing him well in his future endeavors. Ariwoola, who was sworn in by former President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2022, leaves behind a legacy of significant judicial reforms and decisions that have shaped the nation’s legal landscape.
