President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to arrive back in Nigeria this evening from his trip to France, barring any unexpected changes. He will preside over the inauguration of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria on Friday.
According to sources within the Presidency, Tinubu, who traveled to France on Monday, is making a quick return to Abuja specifically to oversee this important event. The inauguration of Justice Kekere-Ekun is seen by Tinubu as both a constitutional duty and a significant historical occasion.
The National Judicial Council had previously recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun for the role, succeeding Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who is retiring on Thursday, August 22.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, born on May 7, 1958, completed her law degree at the University of Lagos in 1980 and was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981, following her studies at the Nigerian Law School. She continued her legal education at the London School of Economics, earning a master’s degree in Law in November 1983.
She began her career in the Lagos State Judiciary as a Senior Magistrate II and advanced to become a State High Court Judge. From November 1996 to May 1999, she served as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja.
In 2004, Justice Kekere-Ekun was appointed to the Nigerian Court of Appeal and was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July 2013.
