President Bola Tinubu had advised the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to be faithful and loyal to the constitution and build public confidence in the Judiciary.
The president was speaking after swearing in Kekere-Ekun as the acting CJN.
The Judiciary has suffered serious image problems following its roles in the conduct of the 2019 and 2023 elections. Its image began to be severely soiled during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari who controversially ousted Justice Walter Onnoghen to pave way for his kinsman, Justice Tanko Muhammad.
Justice Muhammad turned the presidential villa, where the Nigerian president stays, to his home and office and found no issue dining and wining with the president.
Buhari won everything he took to the court raising serious concerns about the independence of the Judiciary.
By the time Muhammad left, the apex court had suffered a serious image crisis as Nigerians lost hope about the place of justice in a democracy.
Any little hope that things would change quickly evaporated in 2023 following criticisms that followed the way the Judiciary, especially the Supreme Court handled the election petitions.
Justice Kayode Ariwoola, who just retired was criticised for the role he played with many calling him to recuse himself from the petitions.
There were numerous complaints of petitions being compromised with the highest bidders smiling away from the court.
In fact, the apex court decision on the presidential election petition was severely criticised with claims that money exchanged hands thus tarnishing the image of the court.
The role the acting CJN played in handling the election petitions forced the US government to ban her and others from entering the country. That ban has not been rescinded, it’s not clear how she will lead the apex court without entering the US.
Tinubu, who was the biggest beneficiary of what many called judicial corruption and malfeasance, said public confidence in the Judiciary is crucial and praised Ariwoola for “his service.”
The president said Kekere-Ekun “comes to this position with an admirable family and professional pedigree.”
He said over the years, she established a respectable and incorruptible reputation within the bar and the bench, which has served the course of justice.
“Her meteoric rise from the Magistracy to Justice of the Supreme Court,” according to the president “is a testament to her exceptional talent, hard work, unblemished record, strong work ethic, and dedication to her calling as a priest in the temple of justice.”
He acknowledged that her sterling contributions to the growth of the Nigerian judiciary and the legal system have been remarkable.
“We are inspired by her unwavering commitment to higher ideals of upholding the principles of justice and fairness,” the president said.
He described Justice Kekere-Ekun as a “brilliant lawyer who was called to the bar in 1981” and “now a trailblazer, becoming the second woman to hold this esteemed position after Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar.”
Tinubu said Justice Kekere-Ekun’s ascension to this position is a beacon of hope for young women who aspire to break the glass ceiling and make a meaningful impact in Nigeria.
“We expect the apex court to continue to play a critical role in the evolution of our constitutional democracy and shape public policies that impact all segments of Nigerian society,” Tinubu added.
He assured the acting CJN that his administration will “provide appropriate support to improve the welfare and capacity of the judiciary, ease the administration of justice, and promote the rule of law in Nigeria.
“This consideration,” he said “informed the expedited passage by the National Assembly and my consent to the Judicial Office Holders Act, 2024, which approved a 300% increase in the remuneration of judicial officers.
“This came on the heels of the appointment of 11 Justices of the Supreme Court in December 2023, which enabled the Supreme Court to attain its full complement of 21 Justices for the first time in decades.
“Let me also reassure you that the judiciary under this administration will continue to receive prompt and adequate attention in recognising its status as a driver of social order, rule of law, peace, security, and economic development,” the president said.
The president stressed that, “Undoubtedly, the position of the Chief Justice of Nigeria comes with enormous responsibilities. As the head of all judicial institutions in the country, it is a position of considerable influence that demands temperance and sobriety.
“The occupant of the office must exude the highest level of integrity in the discharge of duties. This is more so because of the finality of the Supreme Court’s judgment.
“I therefore urge your lordship to be faithful and loyal to the Constitution when discharging your duties as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“I also encourage you to defend the judiciary’s independence, always promote the course of justice, strengthen mechanisms for integrity, discipline, and transparency in the judicial sector, and pursue other reforms or initiatives to sustain public confidence in the judiciary.”