On Thursday, August 22, 2024, the National Judicial Council recommended Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Justice Kekere-Ekun is set to be sworn in by President Tinubu on Friday, making her the second female to hold this prestigious position, following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Justice Kekere-Ekun is a distinguished Nigerian jurist currently serving on the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Born on May 7, 1958, in Lagos State, she began her education at St. Mary’s School and Queens College, Yaba, Lagos.
She earned her LL.B. from the University of Lagos in 1980 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. She further obtained an LL.M. from the London School of Economics in 1983.
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Her legal career started at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, where she served as a State Counsel from 1982 to 1989.
In 1996, she was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State. Her judicial career progressed in 2004 when she was elevated to the Court of Appeal.
On June 8, 2013, Justice Kekere-Ekun was appointed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, where she has made significant contributions to Nigerian jurisprudence.
Notable Judgments:
Hope Uzodinma v. Emeka Ihedioha: Justice Kekere-Ekun delivered the controversial judgment that declared Uzodinma the winner of the 2019 Imo State gubernatorial election.
Adeleke v. Oyetola: She was part of the panel that upheld Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s election in Osun State, dismissing the appeal by Senator Ademola Adeleke.
Peterside v. Wike: Justice Kekere-Ekun participated in the ruling that upheld Nyesom Wike’s election as the governor of Rivers State.
Center for Oil Pollution Watch v. NNPC: She ruled in favor of expanding public interest litigation in Nigeria.
Recognition:
Justice Kekere-Ekun has received numerous awards for her contributions to the legal profession, including honors from the Nigerian Bar Association and various gender advocacy organizations, solidifying her status as a leading figure in Nigeria’s judiciary.