The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), following a screening session held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, in Abuja.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who arrived at the Senate chambers accompanied by several judicial officers, including Supreme Court justices, engaged with senators during her confirmation hearing. She becomes the second woman in Nigeria’s history to hold the position of CJN and the 23rd overall to lead the nation's judiciary.
During her screening, Justice Kekere-Ekun proposed critical reforms for Nigeria’s judicial system. Notably, she advocated for the termination of pre-election cases at the Court of Appeal, rather than allowing them to progress to the Supreme Court, in an effort to expedite justice. Additionally, she recommended a more stringent process for appointing judges and called for tougher sanctions against judicial officers responsible for conflicting judgments.
Justice Kekere-Ekun further vowed to uphold zero tolerance for corruption within the judiciary and emphasized the need to shield the judiciary from external political influences, ensuring its independence and integrity.