The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
In a statement released on Thursday, NJC spokesperson Soji Oye disclosed that the decision was made during the Council’s 106th meeting, presided over by the current CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. The meeting took place on August 14 and 15 in Abuja, just seven days before Justice Ariwoola’s retirement.
“This is imperative as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, will formally bow out of office as the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria next week, Thursday, 22 August 2024,” the statement read.
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola was appointed as CJN on September 21, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He is scheduled to retire on August 22, 2024, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Currently, the Supreme Court has its full complement of 21 Justices. In line with the long-standing tradition of the apex court, the most senior Justice is expected to succeed the outgoing CJN. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, being the most senior Justice on the Supreme Court bench, is likely to be the next CJN.
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The NJC also recommended “twenty-seven (27) candidates for appointment as Judges of State Courts and one candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja, to their respective State Governors and Mr. President.”
See the full statement below as follows:
NJC recommends Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR as the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria and Twenty-eight (28) others as Judges of various Courts
The National Judicial Council at its 106th Meeting presided over by the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, held on 14 & 15 August 2024, recommended Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
This is imperative as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, will formally bow out of office as the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria next week Thursday on 22 August 2024.
Council also recommends twenty-seven (27) candidates for appointment as Judges of States Courts and a candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja to their various State Governors and Mr. President as follows:
CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA
Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR
SIX JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF KWARA STATE
Olawoyin, Ibijoke Olabisi
Abdulrazaq, Fatimah Funsho
Folorunsho, Oba Muritala
Dikko, Yusuf Adebayo
Adeniyi, Oluwatosin Adenike
Osuolale-Ajayi, Temitope Olalekan
ONE JUDGE, HIGH COURT OF KADUNA STATE
Zubairu, Murtala Ja’afaru
FOUR JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF BENUE STATE
Kor, Vincent Tersoo
Ikwulono, Maigida Maimuna
Adagba, Nguhemen Julie
Tor, Damian Tersugh
TWO JUDGES, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, BENUE STATE
Onche, Ogah Inalegwu
Igba, Theophilus Terhile
EIGHT JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF RIVERS STATE
Onyiri, Frank
Ugoji, Victor Chinedum
Obomanu, Godswill Vidal
Oguguo, Rita Chituru
Fubara, Alatuwo Elkanah
Kokpan, Bariyima Sylvester
Obu, Ibietela Innocent Madighi
Wifa-Adedipe, Lesi
SIX JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF ONDO STATE
Daomi, Williams Adebisi
Fabuluje, Adewumi William
Ogunwumiju, Mobayonle Idowu
Demehin-Ogunbayo, Inumidun Happiness
Kpemi, Ojufisintei Justinah
Adegoroye, Olufunke Adeola
ONE KADI, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, FCT ABUJA
Muhammad, Lawal Munir
All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective State Governors.
Soji Oye, Esq.
Director, Information
