Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun has been recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
NJC spokesman, Soji Oye, in a statement said the decision was taken following the Council’s 106th Meeting presided over by the outgoing CJN Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
He said the meeting was held on August 14 and 15 in Abuja, just seven days before the retirement of Justice Ariwoola as the CJN.
“This is imperative as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, will formally bow out of office as the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria next week Thursday, 22 August 2024,” the statement read.
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the outgoing CJN, is billed to bow out on August 22, when he will attain the mandatory retirement age of 70.
The NJC also “recommend twenty-seven (27) candidates for appointment as Judges of States Courts and a candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja to their various State Governors and Mr. President.”
The full statement below:
NJC recommends Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR as the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria and Twenty-eight (28) others as Judges of various Courts
The National Judicial Council at its 106th Meeting presided over by the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, held on 14 & 15 August 2024, recommended Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
This is imperative as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, will formally bow out of office as the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria next week Thursday on 22 August 2024.
Council also recommend twenty-seven (27) candidates for appointment as Judges of States Courts and a candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja to their various State Governors and Mr. President as follows:
CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA
- Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR
SIX JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF KWARA STATE
- Olawoyin, Ibijoke Olabisi
- Abdulrazaq, Fatimah Funsho
- Folorunsho, Oba Muritala
- Dikko, Yusuf Adebayo
- Adeniyi, Oluwatosin Adenike
- Osuolale-Ajayi, Temitope Olalekan
ONE JUDGE, HIGH COURT OF KADUNA STATE
- Zubairu, Murtala Ja’afaru
FOUR JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF BENUE STATE
- Kor, Vincent Tersoo
- Ikwulono, Maigida Maimuna
- Adagba, Nguhemen Julie
- Tor, Damian Tersugh
TWO JUDGES, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, BENUE STATE
- Onche, Ogah Inalegwu
- Igba, Theophilus Terhile
EIGHT JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF RIVERS STATE
- Onyiri, Frank
- Ugoji, Victor Chinedum
- Obomanu, Godswill Vidal
- Oguguo, Rita Chituru
- Fubara, Alatuwo Elkanah
- Kokpan, Bariyima Sylvester
- Obu, Ibietela Innocent Madighi
- Wifa-Adedipe, Lesi
SIX JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF ONDO STATE
- Daomi, Williams Adebisi
- Fabuluje, Adewumi William
- Ogunwumiju, Mobayonle Idowu
- Demehin-Ogunbayo, Inumidun Happiness
- Kpemi, Ojufisintei Justinah
- Adegoroye, Olufunke Adeola
ONE KADI, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, FCT ABUJA
- Muhammad, Lawal Munir
All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective State Governors.
