President Bola Tinubu on Friday administered oath of office on Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), with a charge on her to remain faithful and loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the discharge of her duties.
Speaking during Justice Kekere-Ekun’s swearing-in ceremony at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, the President stressed the enormity of the responsibilities that come with the position of CJN, who is head of all judicial institutions in the country.
He urged her to espouse the highest level of integrity, temperance, and sobriety, considering the finality of the Supreme Court’s judgments.
President Tinubu further encouraged the Acting CJN to defend the judiciary’s independence, promote justice, strengthen mechanisms for integrity, discipline, and transparency, and pursue reforms to sustain public confidence in the judiciary.
According to him: “Undoubtedly, the position of the Chief Justice of Nigeria comes with enormous responsibilities as the head of all judicial institutions in the country. It is a position of considerable influence that demands the temperance sobriety, the occupant must espouse the highest level of integrity in the discharge of duties.
“This is moreso because of the finality of the Supreme Court’s judgement. 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 also pledged to prioritize the development and welfare of the judiciary and its officers, promising prompt and adequate attention to the sector, even as he emphasized the critical role of the Supreme Court in shaping public policies and evolving Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
He assured the judiciary of his administration’s commitment to providing support, improving welfare and capacity, easing justice administration, and promoting the rule of law.
President Tinubu particularly highlighted the recent 300% increase in judicial officers’ remuneration through the Judicial Office Holder Acts of 2024 and the appointment of 11 Supreme Court Justices in December 2023, bringing the court to its full complement for the first time in decades.
His words: “We expect the apex court to continue to play a critical role in the evolution of our constitutional democracy and shape public policies that impact all segments of Nigetian society.
“I want to assure you that my administration will continue to provide appropriate support to improve the welfare and capacity of the judiciary, ease the administration of Justice and promote the rule of law in Nigeria.
“This consideration informed the expedited passage of the National Assembly and my consent to the Judicial Office Holder Acts of 2024, which approved a 300 percent increase in remuneration of judicial officers.
“This came on the heels of the appointment of 11 Justices of the Supreme Court in December 2023, which enabled the Supreme Court to attain its full complement of 21 justices for the first time in decades.
“Let me also reassure you that the judiciary, under this administration, will continue to recieve prompt and adequate attention in recognising its status as a driver of social order, rule of law, peace, security and economic development”.
Expantiating on the role the Supreme Court has played in the nation’s evolution, right from when it replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1963, President Tinubu noted that the court has sustained the existence of the country.
“The Nigeria’s Supreme Court has come a long way, since it was empowered by the 1963 Republican Constitution to take over from the then Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the highest court in our judicial hierarchy.
“Since then it has played a critical role in the evolution of our country, resolving complex legal conflicts, even under the military, and shaping public policies that impact all segments of the Nigerian society .
“Late Justice Thurgood Marshall, the American civil rights lawyer and first African-Ameican Justice of the US Supreme Court, once said and I quote, ‘the constitution is not a static document, but rather a living instrument that must be adapted to the changing needs of society’.
“Following this entrenched tradition of the apex court, our Supreme Court, under our constitutional democracy, also recently interpreted the 1999 Constitution regarding the financial autonomy of the local council. To quote Marshall again, ‘it is emphatically the province and duty of judicial department to say what the law is'”, he said.
The President commended the acting CJN for her remarkable rise through the ranks, from Magistrate to Supreme Court Justice, highlighting her exceptional talent, strong work ethics, and dedication to upholding principles and fairness.
“Justice Kekere-Ekun becomes the second woman to hold the esteemed position, following Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar.
Her ascension is seen as a beacon of hope for young women aspiring to break the glass ceiling and make a meaningful impact on society”.
President Tinubu noted her unique distinction of having practiced in every court as a lawyer, Magistrate, High Court Judge, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court Judge.
The President also expressed gratitude to immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, for his 33 years of distinguished service to the judiciary and the nation.
President Tinubu praised Justice Ariwoola’s long and honorable service, wishing him a healthy retirement and expressing hope that his experience and expertise will be utilized in future capacities.
Speaking to reporters after being sworn-in, Justice Kekere-Ekun appealed to all Nigerians to collaborate with the Judiciary to achieve the desired change and improve its reputation.
She emphasized that improving the Judiciary is a collective responsibility, requiring cooperation from everyone to build confidence in the institution.
The Acting CJN stressed that a better Judiciary benefits the entire nation and urged individuals to take personal responsibility for seeking justice.
She also highlighted the importance of a rigorous appointment process, discipline on the bench and at the bar, and faith in the system.
Justice Kekere-Ekun expressed optimism that, with God’s grace, her tenure will yield a Judiciary that Nigerians can proudly behold.
On his part, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, hailed the seamless transition of power in the Judiciary, following the swearing-in of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Sanwo-Olu lauded President Tinubu for ensuring a smooth transition, cutting his trip short to oversee the swearing-in ceremony, thereby maintaining the integrity of the democratic process.
He also praised the National Assembly for its representation at the ceremony.
The Governor expressed excitement about Justice Kekere-Ekun’s appointment, noting her outstanding judicial career, having progressed through all levels of the court system.
As a Lagosian, Sanwo-Olu welcomed her ascension to the highest judicial office, emphasizing the importance of a clear separation of powers and mutual respect among branches of government.
He prayed for God’s guidance and enablement for Justice Kekere-Ekun to lead the Judiciary effectively, upholding the principles of justice and ensuring that the Judiciary remains the final bastion of recourse for the people.
The event was witnessed by Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed; Justices of the Supreme Court, senior judicial officers, and some members of the Federal Executive Council.
The family of the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, led by her spouse, Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun was also present at the State House Council Chamber.
Deji Elumoye
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