Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has been nominated by the National Judicial Council to be the next Chief Justice of Nigeria, and today (Friday) President Bola Tinubu will receive her name for confirmation.
“The meeting just ended today, so tomorrow is when My Lord’s name will be taken to the President for his approval of her as the next CJN,” said NJC Director of Information Soji Oye.
This suggestion was presented at the 106th meeting of the NJC, which was chaired by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who will legally leave office on Thursday, August 22, 2024.
If approved, Justice Kekere-Ekun will become the second female CJN in Nigeria, after Justice Mariam Mukhtar, who held the position from July 2012 to November 2014.
Additionally, the NJC recommended 27 others as judges of state high courts and one Khadi, whose names will be forwarded to their various state governors and the President for approval.
“The council also recommended 27 candidates for appointment as judges of states’ courts and a candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja to their various state governors and Mr. President,” Oye said.
The recommended candidates include:
– Six for the Kwara State High Court: Olawoyin Olabisi, Abdulrazaq Funsho, Folorunsho Muritala, Dikko Adebayo, Adeniyi Adenike, and Osuolale-Ajayi Olalekan
– One for Kaduna State: Zubairu Ja’afaru
– Four for Benue State: Kor Tersoo, Ikwulono Maimuna, Adagba Julie, and Tor Tersugh
– Two for the Benue State Customary Court of Appeal: Onche Inalegwu and Igba Terhile
– Eight for Rivers State: Onyiri Frank, Ugoji Chinedum, Obomanu Vidal, Oguguo Chituru, Fubara Elkanah, Kokpan Sylvester, Obu Madighi, and Wifa-Adedipe Lesi
– Six for Ondo State: Daomi Adebisi, Fabuluje William, Ogunwumiju Idowu, Demehin-Ogunbayo Happiness, Kpemi Justinah, and Adegoroye Adeola
All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in after approval by the President and their respective state governors.