The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that going by the antecedents of the newly appointed Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, she will not disappoint Nigeria.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who has over 30 years experience in the bar and bench, was sworn-in by President Bola Tinubu as the 23rd CJN on Friday.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, on Friday evening, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State is proud to produce the second female CJN.
He described the new CJN as a good ambassador of the state, particularly the state judiciary, where she served for over two decades in different capacities before her elevation to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in 2004 and 2013 respectively.
The governor urged Justice Kekere-Ekun to uphold the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and justice, in the discharge of her duties and make the judiciary to remain the true hope for the common man.
He said: “On behalf of my family, the government, and the people of Lagos State, I congratulate our Amazon, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on her appointment as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“The emergence of a Lagos indigene, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, as the second female Chief Justice of Nigeria is a thing of joy to us, and we are happy to associate with her.
“Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun’s appointment is well deserved, and going by her antecedents as a seasoned jurist with over 30 years in the bar and bench as legal practitioner and Justice of the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, she will not disappoint Nigeria.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun will remain in acting capacity as the CJN pending confirmation by the Senate.
She succeeded Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired from service on Thursday , having attained the compulsory retirement age of 70.