The Senate on Wednesday at plenary officially confirmed the appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s judiciary. The confirmation came after her successful screening at the Committee of the Whole, where she fielded questions from senators and addressed various issues concerning the judiciary and her plans as the nation's top judicial officer.
The screening session highlighted her qualifications, integrity, and readiness to take on the role of the Chief Justice, a position that comes with immense responsibility. Her responses during the session showcased her experience and vision for a judiciary that upholds justice, integrity, and fairness. As a result, the Senate did not hesitate to confirm her appointment following her impressive responses.
Leader of the Senate, Sen. Bamidele Opeyemi (APC-Ekiti), emphasized that the screening and confirmation process adhered strictly to section 231 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. He affirmed that all reports concerning Justice Kekere-Ekun indicated positive clearance from the relevant security agencies, and notably, there were no petitions or oppositions raised against her nomination. This clean record further solidified the Senate’s decision to confirm her as the Chief Justice.
During the plenary, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, congratulated Justice Kekere-Ekun on her confirmation and expressed his confidence in her leadership. He urged her to stay true to her words and deliver justice impartially to all Nigerians, given the weight of her new role.
Earlier, while responding to questions during her screening, Justice Kekere-Ekun highlighted the various reforms she had initiated during her tenure as both a Magistrate and a Court of Appeal Judge, particularly focusing on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. She outlined her commitment to upholding the rule of law, defending the rights of Nigerians, and ensuring the integrity of the judiciary, should she be confirmed as Chief Justice.
She further emphasized her determination to maintain strict adherence to the code of conduct by judicial officers, stating that there would be zero tolerance for corruption within the judiciary. By enforcing this standard, she aimed to reinforce public trust in the judiciary and its officers.
On the matter of judicial independence, Justice Kekere-Ekun pointed out that the process for appointing judicial officers would be carried out with full transparency, further increasing citizens' confidence in the judiciary. She pledged to collaborate closely with the National Assembly to pass laws that would strengthen judicial independence and ensure that the judiciary functions without external influence.
In addressing the overwhelming number of cases reaching the Supreme Court, she proposed reforms to limit the types of cases that make it to the highest court in the land. Specifically, she suggested that pre-election matters should conclude at the Court of Appeal. She argued that the Supreme Court, being a court of law and a court of policy, should focus on pronouncing on matters of national significance rather than being inundated with numerous cases of a routine nature.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also pledged to tackle the issue of conflicting judgments by judicial officers, vowing to ensure that all judges adhere to established court processes and respect the hierarchy of courts. This, she said, would help restore order and consistency in judicial rulings, thereby preventing confusion and conflicting legal interpretations.
In terms of serving the people, she committed to delivering justice fairly and transparently, emphasizing her desire to ensure that both the bar and the bench are fully engaged in dispensing justice to all Nigerians. She further pledged to improve the efficiency of the judiciary by leveraging technology, specifically through the digitalization of court processes. This, she explained, would help tackle inefficiencies and speed up the delivery of justice.
With her confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kekere-Ekun reiterated her commitment to fulfilling the duties of her office with integrity, and her determination to ensure that the Nigerian judiciary serves the people effectively and equitably.
NAN