Senate Confirms Appointment Of Kekere-Ekun As Substantive CJN

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, disclosed the confirmation during plenary on Wednesday after she was cleared by voice votes.

The new CJN was screened for almost two hours as lawmakers threw various questions at her, particularly on judicial reforms.

Kekere-Ekun was thereafter cleared by the senators at the Committee of the Whole.

The confirmation was under Section 231 (1) of the Constitution as amended.

After announcing the confirmation, Akpabio assured all that Nigeria would get adequate justice under the leadership of Kekere-Ekun as the new CJN.

The Senate President, thereafter, congratulated the new CJN and urged her to uphold the integrity of the judiciary.

During her screening, she emphasized her firm against corruption in the judiciary.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, who was sworn in as the acting CJN by President Bola Tinubu, made this assertion during her Senate screening for confirmation as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.

“All pre-election matters will terminate at the Court of Appeal. I have zero tolerance for corruption,” she stated.

The screening took place after the Senate received a letter from the President, which was presented during Tuesday’s plenary session by Akpabio.

Kekere-Ekun has been serving in an acting capacity since August, following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Tinubu, in his letter to the Senate, cited Section 231(1) of the Constitution, which authorizes the President to appoint a Chief Justice based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, subject to Senate confirmation.