10 Things To know About The New Chief Justice Of Nigeria, Justice Kekere-Ekun

The baton of the leadership of the nation’s judiciary was passed after President Bola Tinubu on Friday, swore in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

She was sworn in at about 11:38 am at the State House in Abuja, making her the second Nigerian 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.

Here are 10 things to know about Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun:

1. Legal Background: Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun holds a law degree (LL.B.) from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. She also holds a Master’s degree (LL.M.) from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

2. Career Beginnings: She began her legal career as a legal officer at the Ministry of Justice in Lagos State and later served as a Senior Magistrate and Chief Magistrate in Lagos State Judiciary.

3. High Court Judge: In 1996, she was appointed as a judge of the Lagos State High Court, where she served for several years, gaining a reputation for her fairness and legal acumen.

4. Court of Appeal: Justice Kekere-Ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2004, where she served in various divisions, including Abuja, Lagos, and Enugu, before her promotion to the Supreme Court.

5. Supreme Court Appointment: She was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2013, becoming one of the few women to have served on the highest court in the country.

6. Landmark Judgments: Justice Kekere-Ekun has delivered several landmark judgments, particularly in election-related cases, that have had a significant impact on Nigeria’s legal and political landscape.

7. Reputation: She is known for her intellectual rigor, commitment to justice, and impartiality, earning her respect within the legal community and beyond.

8. Second Female Chief Justice (Potential): If confirmed, Justice Kekere-Ekun will become the second female Chief Justice of Nigeria, following in the footsteps of Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar.

9. Memberships and Affiliations: She is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

10. Family Background: Justice Kekere-Ekun hails from a prominent legal family, as her Hassan Adisa Babatunde Fasinro, (HAB) was also a lawyer and politician, while her mother, Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu (née Savage), is a UK-trained nurse..

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