The National Judicial Council has recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria and will send her name to President Bola Tinubu for approval today (Friday).
According to NJC Director of Information, Soji Oye, “The meeting just finished today, so tomorrow is when My Lord’s name will be taken to the President for his approval of her as the next CJN.”
This recommendation was made during the NJC’s 106th meeting, presided over by the outgoing CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who will formally bow out of office on Thursday, August 22, 2024.
If approved, Justice Kekere-Ekun will become the second female CJN in Nigeria, after Justice Mariam Mukhtar, who held the position from July 2012 to November 2014.
Additionally, the NJC recommended 27 others as judges of state high courts and one Khadi, whose names will be forwarded to their various state governors and the President for approval.
“The council also recommended 27 candidates for appointment as judges of states’ courts and a candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja to their various state governors and Mr. President,” Oye said.
The recommended candidates include:
– Six for the Kwara State High Court: Olawoyin Olabisi, Abdulrazaq Funsho, Folorunsho Muritala, Dikko Adebayo, Adeniyi Adenike, and Osuolale-Ajayi Olalekan
– One for Kaduna State: Zubairu Ja’afaru
– Four for Benue State: Kor Tersoo, Ikwulono Maimuna, Adagba Julie, and Tor Tersugh
– Two for the Benue State Customary Court of Appeal: Onche Inalegwu and Igba Terhile
– Eight for Rivers State: Onyiri Frank, Ugoji Chinedum, Obomanu Vidal, Oguguo Chituru, Fubara Elkanah, Kokpan Sylvester, Obu Madighi, and Wifa-Adedipe Lesi
– Six for Ondo State: Daomi Adebisi, Fabuluje William, Ogunwumiju Idowu, Demehin-Ogunbayo Happiness, Kpemi Justinah, and Adegoroye Adeola
All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in after approval by the President and their respective state governors.