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Newly inaugurated Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has promised to strive to regain Nigerians’ confidence in the country’s judiciary.
She spoke yesterday after President Bola Tinubu urged her to uphold integrity, defend judicial independence, and pursue reforms to maintain public trust during her swearing-in as the country’s head of the third arm of government.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the swearing-in ceremony, Kekere-Ekun promised to elevate the judiciary to greater heights, improve its reputation and instill more confidence in the system.
Kekere-Ekun emphasised that the judiciary’s improvement is a collective responsibility, not a task for one person alone.
“We will take the judiciary to higher heights,” she said, acknowledging that there are areas needing improvement. “A better judiciary is for the benefit of the entire nation.
“Whatever shortcomings we see today, we are all members of society, and if we want to see improvement, let the change start with every one of us.”
She highlighted the need for faith in the judicial system and underscored the importance of refining the process of judicial appointments and ensuring discipline within the judiciary.
“We will be more particular about the appointment process,” she stated, even as she acknowledged the widespread concerns about the standards on the bench and at the bar. By the grace of God, at the end of my tenure, we will have a judiciary we can all be proud of.”
At the event held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu praised the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, for his 33 years of “distinct, dignified, and honourable service” to the judiciary and the country.
He then highlighted Justice Kekere-Ekun’s impressive career trajectory, noting her rise from magistrate to Supreme Court justice as a testament to her “exceptional talent, hard work, and unblemished record.”
LEADERSHIP Weekend reports that the new CJN’s appointment is a significant milestone for gender representation in Nigeria’s highest judicial office.
Tinubu emphasised this point, stating that Justice Kekere-Ekun’s ascension is “a beacon of hope for young women aspiring to break the glass ceiling and make a meaningful impact on our society.”
He stressed the critical nature of the position, stating, “The occupant must exhibit the highest level of integrity in the discharge of duties. I therefore urge your lordship to be faithful and loyal to the constitution when discharging your duty as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“I also encourage you to defend the judiciary’s independence, always promote the cause of Justice, strengthen the mechanism for integrity, discipline, and transparency in the judicial sector, and pursue other reforms or initiatives to sustain public confidence in the judiciary.”
The president highlighted recent efforts to strengthen the judiciary, including the passage of the Judicial Office Holders Act of 2024, which approved a 300 per cent increase in remuneration for judicial officers.
He also noted the recent appointment of 11 justices to the Supreme Court, bringing it to its full complement of 21 Justices for the first time in decades.
Stressing the judiciary’s status as a driver of social order, rule of law, peace, security, and economic development, Tinubu assured the new Chief Justice of his administration’s commitment to providing “appropriate support to improve the welfare and capacity of the judiciary.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun, only the second woman to hold this position in Nigeria’s history, comes to the role with a distinguished career spanning various levels of the judiciary.
President Tinubu praised her “exceptional talent, hard work, and unblemished record.”
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was also present at the swearing-in ceremony, expressed his optimism about Justice Kekere-Ekun’s appointment.
He praised the swift transition following the retirement of the former CJN, lauding the commitment of President Tinubu, who interrupted his travels to oversee the swearing-in.
Sanwo-Olu described the seamless process as a testament to Nigeria’s democracy: “Within 24 hours, we’ve seen the beauty of our democracy. Mr President had to stop his trip to ensure that governance and democracy did not stop. There is no vacuum.”
He also celebrated Justice Kekere-Ekun’s remarkable journey through the judiciary ranks, becoming only the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history.
“What a time. We’re excited, not just because she’s a Lagosian but because of who she is: she’s been an outstanding jurist,” Sanwo-Olu remarked.
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