Senate Begins Screening Of Kudirat Kekere-Ekun As CJN

The Senate has begun with the screening of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.

Before the commencement of the screening on Wednesday, the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central moved that there should be a re-order of the Legislative Business of the day to make the screening of Kekere-Ekun be the first matter to be addressed.

Kekere-Ekun who is going to be screened in the Committee of the Whole of the Senate, arrived at the hallowed Chamber at 12.30.

She entered with other Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and others after Order 12 of the Senate standing Order was cited by Senator Bamidele to allow for her and other visitors enter the Chamber. It was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Oyewumi Olalere, PDP, Osun West.

The Acting CJN was led by the Special Adviser to the President on the Senate, Senator Basheer Lado.

Vanguard reported that President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.

President Tinubu’s letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio upon resumption from the annual break the Upper Chamber embarked upon since July.

The letter read, “Pursuant to 231(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 as amended which gives the power to the president powers to appoint the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) on the recommendation of the National Judicial Commission (NJC) and subject to confirmation of the Nigerian senate.

“I have the honour to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun CON for confirmation as CJN.

“While I hope that this request will receive the expeditious consideration and confirmation of the senate, please, accept distinguished senate president the assurances of my highest consideration and personal regards.”

Recall that Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was on 23rd August 2024 sworn-in as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

With the swearing-in, Kekere-Ekun was expected to operate in an acting capacity until confirmation by the Senate.

She took her Oaths around 11:38 am. She’s the second female Justice to hold the position.

Recall that after the brief ceremony, Justice Kekere-Ekun took her rightful sitting position in the Council Chambers on the left-hand side of the President.

She is in an acting capacity for now as a result of the retirement of her Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and her nomination and presentation to President Tinubu by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on August 15.

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is now the second Nigeria female jurist to serve as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who was the Chief Justice of Nigeria between July 2012 and November 2014.

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom. Her journey in the legal profession commenced at the University of Lagos where she obtained her first degree in law in 1980. After she completed the Nigeria Law School, she was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.

Details later…