Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, newly appointed Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, has pledged to restore public confidence in the nation’s judiciary, emphasizing that this task requires a collective effort from all Nigerians.
Speaking at her swearing-in ceremony at the State House in Abuja, Kekere-Ekun asserted, “We will take the judiciary to new heights.
We will improve its reputation and ensure that people have greater confidence in the judiciary. I believe that it is not a one-person job. We all have to be involved because we all recognize the areas that need improvement.”
Kekere-Ekun also outlined her plans to reform the appointment process for judicial officers, underscoring its importance to her administration’s agenda.
She stated, “We’ll also be more particular about the process of appointments, which is a significant concern.
By the grace of God, by the end of my tenure, we will have a judiciary we can all be proud of. A better judiciary benefits the entire nation; whatever shortcomings we see today, our duty is to improve as members of society.”
Her appointment follows the National Judicial Council’s (NJC) recommendation to President Bola Tinubu on August 15, 2024.
Kekere-Ekun succeeds Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired after reaching the statutory age of 70. At 66, she is expected to serve until her retirement in 2028, pending Senate confirmation.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and others.
President Tinubu praised Kekere-Ekun, calling her a beacon of hope for young women striving to break barriers and make meaningful contributions.
He commended her distinguished career, noting, “Justice Kekere-Ekun is a beacon of hope to many young women who aspire to break the glass ceiling and make a meaningful impact on our society.”
Tinubu highlighted her rise from magistrate to Supreme Court justice as a testament to her exceptional talent, dedication, and integrity, and emphasized the need to strengthen mechanisms that uphold judicial integrity and transparency.
