KEY POINTS
- Nigeria inaugurates new CJN Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as 23rd Chief Justice.
- Tinubu: The judiciary shall remain independent, while better welfare packages for judges.
- Kekere-Ekun’s appointment receives praises as a landmark for the Nigerian women.
The Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Monday administered the oath of office to Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN); the President underlined his respect for the judiciary’s independence and the inviolability of its officials. The event took place at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, and signified the official swearing in Kekere-Ekun as the second female CJN after being approved by the Senate on September 25 of 2024.
President Tinubu described the judiciary as a very important institution because it is one of the ablest checks on the excesses of democracy in Nigeria. He thanked the judiciary for anchoring on the checks and balances principle through which the institution stands as a “last hope of the common man” through presenting itself as independent to deliver on fairness in the governance system.
The independence and support to judiciary
Tinubu further affirmed to his administration’s commitment on the independence of the judiciary saying, “It is my administration’s total commitment to preserve the sanctity of the judiciary.” This is going to be the perfect relationship we will never tamper or misuse it thinking we are two separate arms of government. He also gave his word on the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers, with a view wanted to make them more efficient in the dispensation of justice.
The President urged Justice Kekere-Ekun to apply the ethical principles that have characterized her entire career and vowed to apply these in steering the Nigerian judiciary in these daunting times. He praised her elevation in the judiciary ladder as a dream-chaser and role model of the female politicians including the young girls who want to go in for leadership in the man dominated careers.
Ensuring independence and support for the judiciary
While taking the oath of office, Tinubu said that the appointment of Kekere-Ekun was a milestone in the progress of the judiciary as a sector that has the capacity to develop on its own. “This is a great accomplishment for women in Nigeria, any girl child can now dream big and have her dreams turn into a reality,” Tinubu said.
Accodding to The Punch, The function was honored by different personalities such as the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas as well as several other judges and judicial officers. Other invitees to the occasion were some retired Chief Justices of Nigeria some of who have been part of the administration, including the pioneer female CJN Aloma Mukhtar.
The mother of the new justice, Mama Wilfred Ogundimu, was in attendance as well as other members of the family of the new justice which made the event rather a family and home affair. President Tinubu thanked the Senate for the confirmation of Kekere-Ekun appointment and appreciated the Judiciary arm for its loyalty.
