NJC Forwards Kekere-Ekun’s Name To President Tinubu Today As Next CJN

Barring any last-minute change in plans, the National Judicial Council will today, Friday, 16th August 2024, send Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun’s name to President Bola Tinubu, for his approval as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

This follows the recommendation of the NJC at its 106th meeting in which the most senior Supreme Court Justice was nominated to take over from Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retires from service on August 22 after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.

The spokesperson of the NJC, Soji Oye, confirmed the next line of action in a chat with Punch.

He said, “The meeting just finished today, so tomorrow is when My Lord’s name will be taken to the President for his approval of her as the next CJN.”

Should Justice Kekere-Ekun take over as the new CJN as expected after Ariwoola’s retirement, she would become the second female justice in Nigeria to hold the exalted position after Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, who was CJN between July 2012 and November 2014.

The 66-year-old Kekere-Ekun is the most senior justice of the Supreme Court after Ariwoola, and is favoured to clinch the position.

After 11 years at the Supreme Court, Justice Kekere-Ekun will not only become the next CJN but also head the National Judicial Council (NJC), which oversees the appointment, promotion, and discipline of judges across the country.

Meanwhile, Naija News also reported that the NJC, at its Thursday meeting, recommended 27 others as judges of state high courts and one Khadi, whose names would be forwarded to their various state governors and the President for approval.