President Bola Tinubu has officially requested the Senate to confirm Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.
This move comes after Kekere-Ekun has been serving as the Acting CJN since August, following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Notably, President Tinubu had previously sworn her in on an interim basis, making her the second female Chief Justice of Nigeria, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar who held the position from July 2012 to November 2014.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the request letter from President Tinubu, which cited Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution.
This section grants the president the authority to appoint the CJN based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and subject to Senate confirmation.
In his letter, President Tinubu stated, “I hereby forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I trust that this request will receive the Senate’s prompt consideration and approval.”
Following the request, Senate President Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation on Wednesday.
Kekere-Ekun’s confirmation will solidify her position as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and it remains to be seen how the Senate will proceed with the nomination.
