KICNEWS

Tag: Chief Justice of Nigeria

  • President Tinubu swears in Justice Kekere-Ekun as acting CJN

    President Tinubu swears in Justice Kekere-Ekun as acting CJN

    President Tinubu swears in Justice Kekere-Ekun as acting CJN

    Acting CJN
    Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun

    President Bola Tinubu has just sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

    Justice Kekere-Ekun took her Oaths at about 11:38am and took her rightful sitting position in the Council Chambers on the left-hand side of the President at exactly 11:45am.

    Justice Kekere-Ekun is starting her new role as CJN following the retirement of her predecessor, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and her nomination and presentation to President Tinubu by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on August 15.

    This appointment has made her the second female jurist to serve as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who held briefs between July 2012 and November 2014. She will operate in an acting capacity until she is confirmed by the Senate.

    Among those who witnessed the event were other Justices of the Supreme Court; president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; leadership of the House of Representatives, represented by Prof Julius Ihonbvere; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwoolu and the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ariwoola, amongst others.

  • Breaking: Olukayode Ariwoola retires as Chief Justice of Nigeria

    Breaking: Olukayode Ariwoola retires as Chief Justice of Nigeria

    Breaking: Olukayode Ariwoola retires as Chief Justice of Nigeria

    Olukayode Ariwoola
    Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola

    Justice Olukayode Ariwoola officially retired as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Thursday, August 22, 2024, marking the end of his distinguished judicial career.

    Justice Ariwoola whose 70th birthday coincided with his retirement called for judicial reforms that could help to reduce the burden on the supreme court.

    He explained that there are too many cases before the apex court which ought to have terminated at the appellate court.

    Justice Ariwoola stated this at a valedictory session in his honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja. He said access to justice has contributed largely to the delay in the hearing of cases as litigants and lawyers are forced to wait for several years to have their cases decided.

    Justice Ariwoola explained that the right to a fair hearing can only be guaranteed when lawyers and litigants do not have to wait for so long to have their cases heard.

    He also stressed the need for the bench to have more judicial officers to adjudicate on all matters timeously.

    Then President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Ariwoola as acting CJN in June 2022 following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad on health grounds. Ariwoola was subsequently sworn in October of the same year following his confirmation by the Senate.

    Ariwoola was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011. He was a Justice of the Court of Appeal between 2005 and 2011 after having been elevated from the State High Court of Oyo State.

    He studied law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife and bagged his bachelor of laws degree with honours in July 1980. In July 1981, Ariwoola was called to the Bar and enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor.