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JUST IN: Senate Confirms Kekere-Ekun As Second Female CJN

Published

2 years ago

September 25, 2024

Editor

The Senate has confirmed Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.

Kekere-Ekun’s confirmation was a sequel to the screening by the Senators at the Committee of the Whole on Wednesday.

Kekere-Ekun who appeared before the Senate at the Committee of the Whole of the Senate, arrived the hallowed Chamber at 12.30.

The Screening started at 12.47 and ended at 2.41 pm.

She entered with other Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and others after Order 12 of the Senate standing Order was cited by Senator Bamidele to allow for her and other visitors enter the Chamber. It was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Oyewumi Olalere, PDP, Osun West.

She was led by the Special Adviser to the President of Senate, Senator Basheer Lado.

Before the commencement of the screening on Wednesday, the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central moved that there should be a re-order of the Legislative Business of the day to make the screening of Kekere-Ekun be the first matter to be addressed.

With her confirmation, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is now the second Nigeria female jurist to serve as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who was the Chief Justice of Nigeria between July 2012 and November, 2014.

She was in the acting capacity for now as a result of the retirement of her Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and her nomination and presentation to President Tinubu by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on August 15.

Answering questions from the Senators prior to her confirmation, the then Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, vowed to ensure Zero Tolerance for Corruption in the Judiciary, just as she said that one of the things she is known for is integrity and strictness.

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun who noted that when confirmed, she would ensure that Petitions before the Courts are dealt with Speedily, just as she has assured that as CJN, she would ensure that the Judiciary is insulated from External Influence, just as she has promised to push for better welfare for the Judiciary, especially in the area of Infrastructure.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has also stressed the need for the nation’s institutions and people’s behaviour to be strengthened before, during and after elections as that would help discourage going to courts on matters from elections.

President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday written the Senate, seeking for the screening and subsequent confirmation of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.

President Tinubu’s letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio upon resumption from the annual break the Upper Chamber embarked upon since July.

The letter read, “Pursuant to 231(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 as amended which gives the power to the president powers to appoint the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) on the recommendation of the National Judicial Commission (NJC) and subject to confirmation of the Nigerian senate.

“I have the honour to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun CON for confirmation as CJN.

“While it is my hope that this request will receive the expeditious consideration and confirmation of the senate, please, accept distinguished senate president the assurances of my highest consideration and personal regards.”

Recall that Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was on 23rd August, 2024 sworn-in as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

She took her Oaths around 11:38am. She’s the second female Justice to hold the position.

Recall that after the brief ceremony, Justice Kekere-Ekun took her rightful sitting position in the Council Chambers on the left-hand side of the President.

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom. Her journey in the legal profession commenced at the University of Lagos where she obtained her first degree in law in 1980. After she completed the Nigeria Law School, she was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

11 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

11 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.