Justice Kekere-Ekun: A New Era for the Judiciary
In a significant development for Nigeria’s judiciary, President Tinubu on Friday swore in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), pending her confirmation by the Senate.
Her appointment followed the retirement of her predecessor, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Justice Kekere-Ekun has vowed to hit the ground running with a commitment to restoring public confidence in the judiciary. Her pledge comes at a critical time when many Nigerians are increasingly skeptical about the integrity and impartiality of the judicial system.
Her Career
Born on May 7, 1958, Justice Kekere-Ekun began her legal journey after obtaining a law degree from the University of Lagos in 1980 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981 and in 1983 she obtained a masters degree in law from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Over the years, she has held several key positions within the judiciary, demonstrating her expertise and commitment to upholding justice.
Before her appointment to the Supreme Court in 2013, Justice Kekere-Ekun served as a judge of the High Court of Lagos State in 1996 and later as a Justice of the Court of Appeal in 2004. Throughout her career, she presided over numerous high-profile cases including the 2019 election cases between Ademola Adeleke and Governor Gboyega Oyetola and that of Hope Uzodinma and Emeka Ihedioha, as well as the case between Center for Oil Pollution Watch and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
A Trailblazer in the Judiciary
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s appointment as the acting CJN is not just a personal achievement but also a landmark in Nigeria’s judicial history.
She becomes one of the two women (Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, was appointed CJN in 2012) to have ascended to the highest judicial office in the country, paving the way for greater gender representation within the judiciary.
Her appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Supreme Court, with many anticipating reforms and initiatives aimed at strengthening the judiciary’s independence and efficiency. Justice Kekere-Ekun is known for her advocacy for judicial reform and has often emphasized the need for the judiciary to adapt to changing societal needs while remaining a steadfast guardian of the Constitution.
The Challenges Ahead
As she steps into her new role, Justice Kekere-Ekun faces several challenges.
The Nigerian judiciary has, in recent years, been under scrutiny, with calls for greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
Issues such as delayed court cases, judicial corruption, and the need for better infrastructure within the courts are just some of the challenges she will need to address as pointed out by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Dr. Olisa Agbakoba.
It is worth noting that the appointment of Justice Kekere-Ekun is not without controversy. Critics argue that her elevation to the position of CJN reflects a pattern of appointments that favor certain regions or ethnic groups over others. Some Nigerians feel that the judiciary, like other arms of government, should represent the country’s ethnic diversity more equitably, and some see her appointment as reinforcing ethnic dominance, particularly of the Yoruba ethnic group, to which she belongs.
However, in this case, her appointment cannot be easily contested, as she is the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court. Her elevation to the position follows the established tradition of promoting the most senior justice, a practice designed to ensure continuity, respect for seniority, and stability within the judiciary.
Some Nigerians have also expressed concerns over her judicial record, particularly about her role in the case that resulted in the declaration of Hope Uzodimma as Imo State Governor in 2020. This decision, which overturned the victory of the opposition party’s candidate Emeka Ihedioha, was met with widespread criticism and accusations of judicial bias.
These allegations have fueled rumors that Justice Kekere-Ekun was barred from entering the United States due to her involvement in the case, which some view as a sign of deeper issues within the judiciary.
Despite these challenges, Justice Kekere-Ekun’s commitment to reforming the judiciary will be closely watched. Restoring trust in the legal system will require not only addressing the concerns raised by her critics but also demonstrating a steadfast dedication to fairness, transparency, and the rule of law.
The path ahead may be difficult, but her actions in the coming months will be crucial in shaping the judiciary’s future and its perception among Nigerians.
Writing by Annabel Nwachukwu; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade
