BREAKING: Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun sworn in as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has officially assumed the role of the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) after being sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

She will serve in an acting capacity pending confirmation by the Senate.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at 11:38 AM, with Justice Kekere-Ekun taking her seat in the Council Chambers next to President Tinubu at 11:45 AM.

Her appointment follows the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and her nomination by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on August 15.

Justice Kekere-Ekun becomes the second female jurist in Nigeria to hold the position of CJN, following in the footsteps of Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who served from July 2012 to November 2014.

Dignitaries in attendance at the ceremony included Justices of the Supreme Court, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives leadership represented by Prof. Julius Ihonbvere, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and former CJN Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Also present were Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris.

Born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom, Justice Kekere-Ekun’s legal journey began at the University of Lagos, where she earned her law degree in 1980.

She was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981, after completing her studies at the Nigeria Law School. She later obtained a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics in November 1983.

Justice Kekere-Ekun began her judicial career as a Senior Magistrate II in the Lagos State Judiciary and was later promoted to a State High Court Judge.

She also served as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, from November 1996 to May 1999.

Her contributions to the judiciary were further recognized when she was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2004.