The Senate has begun the process of evaluating Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for the position of Nigeria’s Chief Justice.
The screening process on Wednesday was in response to a letter sent by President Bola Tinubu to the Senate on Tuesday, asking for Kekere-Ekun’s confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Senate President Godswill Akpabio while reading the letter emphasized that Tinubu had referenced Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which gives him the authority to name the CJN on the basis of the National Judicial Council’s recommendations, subject to Senate approval.
Supreme Court justices, judicial officers, and senior presidential assistants on National Assembly issues were also allowed to be part of the screening and confirmation process in the chamber
Recall that the National Judicial Council (NJC) in August recommended to President Tinubu that Justice Kekere-Ekun take over as Nigeria’s Chief Justice in place of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who is stepping down.
The President in his letter expressed confidence in her nomination and asked the Senate to proceed with her confirmation immediately.
“I hereby forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I trust that this request will receive the Senate’s prompt consideration and approval,” Tinubu stated in his message to the lawmakers.
Ever since Justice Ariwoola retired last month, the 66-year-old judge has been the Acting Chief Justice of the Nation.
Kekere-Ekun is the second female Nigerian jurist to hold the office of Chief Justice, making her the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar who served as the first woman to hold the esteemed position From July 2012 to November 2014.