Meet Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Nigeria’s next female chief Justice

In this post, News360 Nigeria highlights brief facts about Justice Kidirat Kekere-Ekun.

Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, CFR, is set to make history as Nigeria’s second female Chief Justice, following in the footsteps of Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar.

With a distinguished legal career spanning decades, Justice Kekere-Ekun brings vast experience and a commitment to justice that has defined her journey through the judiciary.

Here’s a brief profile about her;

Justice Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, she earned her LL.B from the University of Lagos in 1980 and her LL.M from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1983.

She was called to the Nigerian Bar in July 1981, marking the beginning of a career that would see her rise through the ranks of Nigeria’s judiciary.

Her initial years in private practice were followed by a transition to the Lagos State Judiciary in 1989, where she served as a Senior Magistrate Grade II.

By 1996, she became a judge of the High Court of Lagos State and played a significant role as the chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja.

Justice Kekere-Ekun’s rise continued with her appointment to the Court of Appeal in 2004, where she served in various divisions, including as the presiding justice in the Makurdi and Aku Divisions.

In July 2013, she became the fifth female justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, further solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in the nation’s legal landscape.

As she prepares to succeed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who will retire on August 22, 2024, Justice Kekere-Ekun’s impending appointment marks a significant step toward gender equality in Nigeria’s highest judicial office.

Her achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2022, conferred by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In addition to her judicial duties, Justice Kekere-Ekun serves as the president of the International Association of Women Judges, further highlighting her commitment to advancing the role of women in the legal profession.

Her notable cases include being part of the seven-member panel that ruled on the controversial 2020 Imo State governorship election, a decision that underscored her influence and the weight her judgments carry in the country’s legal system.

As she steps into this prominent role, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun’s journey is a testament to her dedication, skill, and the ongoing progress toward gender equality in Nigeria’s judiciary.