President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially sworn in Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) during a ceremony held on Monday, September 30, 2024, at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
The event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and several ministers, including Muhammed Idris (Information), Nyesom Wike (FCT), Lateef Fagbemi (Justice), and Zephaniah Jisalo (Special Duties).
Kekere-Ekun’s swearing-in follows her confirmation by the Nigerian Senate last week. During her confirmation hearing, she outlined her plans for judicial reform, emphasizing the need for digitization of the courts to improve case tracking and ensure judges handle cases efficiently.
“I will ensure that the courts are digitized. It will help in tracking cases and holding judges accountable for delays,” she stated. She also expressed her intent to promote virtual hearings, especially for criminal cases, to expedite proceedings and address prison congestion.
Kekere-Ekun had been serving as the acting CJN since August, following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. With her appointment, she becomes the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second woman to hold the position, after Justice Alooma Mukhtar.
