President Bola Tinubu has admonished new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to uphold integrity, defend judicial independence, and pursue reforms to maintain public trust.
Tinubu gave the charge on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Kekere-Ekun as the new CJN at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The president also praised the retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola for his 33 years of “distinct, dignified, and honourable service” to the judiciary and the country.
He then highlighted Justice Kekere-Ekun’s impressive career trajectory, noting her rise from magistrate to Justice of the Supreme Court as a testament to her “exceptional talent, hard work, and unblemished record.”
The new CJN’s appointment is seen as a significant milestone for gender representation in Nigeria’s highest judicial office.
President Tinubu emphasised this point, stating that Justice Kekere-Ekun’s ascension is “a beacon of hope for young women aspiring to break the glass ceiling and make a meaningful impact on our society.”
He stressed the critical nature of the position, stating, “The occupant must eschew the highest level of integrity in the discharge of duties.”
“I therefore urge Your Lordship to be faithful and loyal to the constitution when discharging your duty as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“I also encourage you to defend the judiciary’s independence, always promote course of Justice, strengthen mechanism for integrity, discipline and transparency in the judicial sector and pursue other reforms or initiatives to sustain public confidence in the judiciary.”
The President highlighted recent efforts to strengthen the judiciary, including the passage of the Judicial Office Holders Act of 2024, which approved a 300% increase in remuneration for judicial officers.
He also noted the recent appointment of 11 Justices to the Supreme Court, bringing it to its full complement of 21 Justices for the first time in decades.
Tinubu assured the new Chief Justice of his administration’s commitment to providing “appropriate support to improve the welfare and capacity of the judiciary.”
He emphasised the judiciary’s status as a driver of social order, rule of law, peace, security, and economic development.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, only the second woman to hold this position in Nigeria’s history, comes to the role with a distinguished career spanning various levels of the judiciary.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the swearing in ceremony, Justice Kekere-Ekun promised to elevate the judiciary to greater heights, vowing to improve its reputation and instill more confidence in the system.
The new CJN emphasised that the judiciary’s advancement is not a task for one person alone but a collective responsibility.
“We will take the judiciary to higher heights,” she said, acknowledging the areas needing improvement. “A better judiciary is for the benefit of the entire nation.
“Whatever shortcomings we see today, we are all members of society, and if we want to see improvement, let the change start with each and every one of us.”
She highlighted the need for faith in the judicial system and underscored the importance of refining the process of judicial appointments and ensuring discipline within the judiciary. “We will be more particular about the process of appointment,” she added.
She noted the widespread concerns about the standards on the bench and at the bar. “By the grace of God, at the end of my tenure, we will have a judiciary we can all be proud of.”
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was also present at the swearing-in ceremony, expressed his optimism about Justice Kekere-Ekun’s appointment.
He praised the swift transition following the retirement of the former CJN, lauding the commitment of President Tinubu, who interrupted his own travels to oversee the swearing-in.
Sanwo-Olu described the seamless process as a testament to Nigeria’s democracy, stating, “Within 24 hours, we’ve seen the beauty of our democracy. Mr. President himself had to stop his own trip to ensure that governance and democracy do not stop. There is no vacuum.”
He also celebrated Justice Kekere-Ekun’s remarkable journey through the ranks of the judiciary, becoming only the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history.
“What a time. We’re excited, not just because she’s a Lagosian, but because of who she is. She’s been an outstanding jurist,” Sanwo-Olu remarked.
