President Bola Tinubu has officially requested the Senate to confirm Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). This follows her interim role as acting CJN, a position she has held since August after Justice Olukayode Ariwoola’s retirement.
In a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary, Tinubu cited Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint the CJN based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), subject to Senate approval.
“I hereby forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria,” Tinubu wrote, urging the Senate to expedite the confirmation process.
Justice Kekere-Ekun was sworn in temporarily by President Tinubu in August, and her nomination is now before the Senate for deliberation. The matter has been referred to the Committee of the Whole, with deliberations expected to begin on Wednesday.
