The appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria has been recommended by the National Judicial Council.
The suggestion was made during an unplanned closed-door meeting that was moved from Friday to Thursday in Abuja.
In the still-going conference, the NJC also recommended 27 others to be state high court judges.
The outgoing CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will bow out of the bench on August 22, having attained the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo KEKERE-EKUN CFR, JSC (Nee Fasinro) was born on May 7, 1958. She obtained her LL. B in 1980 from the University of Lagos and LL.M from the London School of Economic and Political Science in November 1983. She was called to the Nigerian Bar on 10th July 1981.
From 1985 to 1989 she was in private practise and was later appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II, Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989. She was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996. She served as Chairman Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos from November 1996 to May 1999.
Hon. Justice Kekere-ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal on 22nd September 2004 where she served in various Divisions of the Court and as presiding Justice of two Divisions of the Court (Makurdi & Akure) in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
She was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the 5th female Justice of the Court and was sworn-in on Monday 8 July 2023.
She has attended numerous courses and seminars within and outside Nigeria and also received several merit awards.
Hon. Justice Kekere-ekun is a life Bencher, a Member of the International Association of Women Judges and currently its President.
She is happily married with children
