Tinubu Swears In Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as Acting Chief Justice

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria pending senate approval.

Her swearing-in followed President Bola Tinubu’s return to Abuja on Friday after a trip to France on a brief work visit.

Business Post reports that President Tinubu arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the early hours of Friday after five days in the European country.

President Tinubu who had cut short his trip to France, swore in the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mrs Kudirat Kekere-Ekun this morning at the Council Chambers in the state House.

She will succeed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who bowed out on Thursday after clocking the retirement age of 70 years.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed the development in a statement on Thursday.

He said the President also congratulated Ariwoola, whose stint in the judiciary he described as a “successful public service career,” commending him for his services to the nation.

“President Bola Tinubu congratulates Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, as he retires as Chief Justice of Nigeria after a successful public service career,” the statement read.

“President Tinubu will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on August 23, 2024.

“President Tinubu commends the eminent jurist for his services to the nation, noting his impactful leadership of the judiciary and his efforts in enriching Nigerian jurisprudence, as well as in strengthening the fibre of the law.”

Justice Ariwoola had served as Justice of the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos divisions before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.

He was sworn in as Chief Justice of Nigeria on September 21, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari and has also served the nation in diverse capacities as a judicial officer.

In a related development, President Tinubu recently urged the Nigerian Judiciary to live up to its expectations and shun those who only criticize the judiciary when the pendulum of justice does not swing towards their direction.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President made the call at the public presentation of the book, “Judging With Justice”, an autobiography of the immediate past Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola in Abuja.

“I urge the Nigerian judiciary to live up to its constitutional mandate and ignore those who never see anything good in the judiciary unless the pendulum of justice swings their way,” he said.

He noted that the pension of judicial officers have been firmly secured as retired justices will now enjoy their last salaries as their pension for life.

He commended the retired CJN for his services to the nation, noting his impactful leadership of the judiciary and his efforts in enriching Nigerian jurisprudence, as well as in strengthening the fibre of the law.