PROFILE: Meet Justice Kekere-Ekun, the New CJN Who ‘Rescued’ Wike, Uzodinma, Yahaya Bello’s Gov’ships
By Kabir Akintayo,
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday appointed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of the Federation, making her the second female CJN in the history of Nigeria after Aloma Mariam Muktar.
This marked a significant milestone as the country welcomed another female Chief Justice in the country; seen as a progressive step in promoting gender equality within the nation’s highest judicial office.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who was nominated and presented to President Tinubu by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on August 15, will act as CJN pending the confirmation of the Nigerian Senate.
She succeeded Justice Olukayode Ariwoola following his retirement on 22 of August, at the age of 70.
POLITICS DIGEST profiles the second woman sworn in as the nation’s CJN.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, born on May 7, 1958, in London, is the eldest of eleven children to parents from Lagos State. Her father, Senator Hassan Adisa Babatunde Fasinro, was a Nigerian senator and legal practitioner, while her mother, Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu, was a Public Health Nurse.
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Educated at Queen’s College, Lagos, she earned her law degree from the University of Lagos in 1980 and called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. After completing her National Youth Service, she obtained a master’s degree in Law from the London School of Economics in 1983. She initially worked in private practice before joining the judiciary as a Senior Magistrate in 1989.
She was appointed a High Court Judge in 1996, elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2004, and to the Supreme Court in 2013. Throughout her career, she has contributed significantly to the judiciary, including serving on ethics committees and handling major cases. Justice Kekere-Ekun is married to Akin Kekere-Ekun, and they have three children.
Landmark Decisions
Notably, she delivered landmark judgments in governorship cases, including the Imo, Kogi, Osun, and Rivers States.
Imo State Governorship: Justice Kekere-Ekun overturned lower court decisions, delivering the judgment that sacked Emeka Ihedioha and affirmed Hope Uzodinma as Governor of Imo State.
Kogi State Governorship: She delivered the judgment affirming Yahaya Bello as Governor of Kogi State in a dispute between APC and James Faleke following the death of Abubakar Audu.
Osun State Governorship: In 2020, she delivered the judgment affirming former Osun Governor Gboyega Oyetola against Ademola Adeleke, citing the absence of the Tribunal chair in one of the sittings.
Rivers State Governorship: In 2016, she delivered the judgment affirming PDP’s Nyesom Wike as Governor of Rivers State, after the Tribunal and Appeal Court had nullified Wike’s victory and called for a fresh election.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s career and contributions have significantly impacted Nigeria’s judiciary, reflecting her expertise and dedication to justice.
