President Tinubu will return to Nigeria from France to swear in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola retires, making way for Kekere-Ekun’s appointment as Acting CJN, a role she will serve for up to three months.
President Bola Tinubu is set to cut short his trip to France to oversee the swearing-in of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Friday.
Tinubu, who traveled to France for a brief work stay, will return to Nigeria on Thursday night for the ceremony, which will be held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
This move comes as Justice Olukayode Ariwoola retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. Ariwoola's tenure as CJN ended with a valedictory ceremony at the Supreme Court complex on Thursday.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) had earlier recommended Kekere-Ekun, the most senior justice of the Supreme Court, to succeed Ariwoola.
According to the constitution, the President must appoint the next most senior justice to act as CJN when the position becomes vacant, pending the appointment of a substantive CJN. This practice was similarly followed during previous transitions, including the appointments of Ariwoola and his predecessor, Ibrahim Muhammad.
Kekere-Ekun will serve as the Acting CJN for up to three months, as provided by the constitution, unless a substantive appointment is made sooner. Her appointment is a critical step in ensuring the continuity and stability of Nigeria’s judiciary.
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"President Bola Tinubu is set to return from France to swear in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, following the retirement of Justice Olukayode
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