The National Judicial Council has recommended Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
A statement on Thursday by NJC spokesman, Soji Oye said the recommendation was made following the Council’s 106th Meeting presided over by the CJN Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
He said the meeting was held seven days before the retirement of Justice Ariwoola as the CJN.
He said “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 outgoing CJN was appointed on September 21, 2022 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He is billed to bow out on August 22, when he will attain the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Already, the Supreme Court currently has the full complement of 21 Justices. In the long tradition of the apex court, the next most senior Justice are usually likely to step in.
By their hierarchies, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is the most senior Justice on the apex court bench and is the likeliest successor.
