CJN: NJC to send Kekere-Ekun’s name to president today
The National Judicial Council will forward Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun’s name to President Bola Tinubu today (Friday) for approval as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria. This follows her recommendation by the NJC during its 106th meeting on Thursday, chaired by the outgoing CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
NJC Director of Information, Soji Oye, confirmed that the next step is for Justice Kekere-Ekun’s name to be submitted to the President. Oye stated, “The meeting has concluded, so her name will be sent to the President tomorrow for approval.”
Justice Ariwoola will formally leave office as CJN on August 22, 2024. If approved, Justice Kekere-Ekun will become Nigeria’s second female CJN, following Justice Mariam Mukhtar, who served from July 2012 to November 2014.
In addition, the NJC recommended 27 candidates for state high court judgeships and one Kadi for the Sharia Court of the FCT. These names will be forwarded to the state governors and the President for final approval.
The recommended candidates include:
- Kwara State: Olawoyin Olabisi, Abdulrazaq Funsho, Folorunsho Muritala, Dikko Adebayo, Adeniyi Adenike, and Osuolale-Ajayi Olalekan.
- Kaduna State: Zubairu Ja’afaru.
- Benue State: Kor Tersoo, Ikwulono Maimuna, Adagba Julie, Tor Tersugh, Onche Inalegwu, and Igba Terhile (for the customary court of appeal).
- Rivers State: Onyiri Frank, Ugoji Chinedum, Obomanu Vidal, Oguguo Chituru, Fubara Elkanah, Kokpan Sylvester, Obu Madighi, and Wifa-Adedipe Lesi.
- Ondo State: Daomi Adebisi, Fabuluje William, Ogunwumiju Idowu, Demehin-Ogunbayo Happiness, Kpemi Justinah, and Adegoroye Adeola.
All candidates will be sworn in after receiving approval from the President and their respective state governors.
