The National Judicial Council (NJC) will send the name of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu today (Friday) for approval as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
This follows the NJC’s recommendation of Justice Kekere-Ekun during its 106th meeting, held on Thursday.
The meeting was led by the current Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who is set to retire on August 22, 2024.
According to NJC Director of Information, Soji Oye, the council has completed its meeting and is now preparing to send Justice Kekere-Ekun’s name to the President.
“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,” he stated.
If President Tinubu approves, Justice Kekere-Ekun will become the second female Chief Justice of Nigeria. The first female CJN was Justice Mariam Mukhtar, who served from July 2012 to November 2014.
In addition to this, the NJC also recommended 27 individuals for appointments as judges in various state high courts, and one person as Khadi of the Sharia Court in Abuja.
Beyond Boders further reports that these names will be sent to the respective state governors and the President for approval.
The candidates include six for Kwara State High Court, one for Kaduna State, four for Benue State High Court, along with two for Benue’s Customary Court of Appeal, eight for Rivers State High Court, and six for Ondo State High Court.
Once approved, these judges and Khadi will be sworn in by their respective state governors or the President.
