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President Bola Tinubu will, today (Friday), swear in the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Tinubu, who returned from France Thursday evening, had shortened his private visit to the European country to swear in Nigeria’s new Chief Justice.
Confirming the development to our correspondent, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “The President is breaking his private visit to France and arriving today (Thursday) so that he can swear in the Chief Justice of Nigeria tomorrow (Friday).”
Onanuga noted that the swearing-in ceremony will hold at at 11 am at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu had departed Abuja for France on Monday for what the Presidency described as a “brief work stay.”
Although it did not state the reason and duration of this visit, a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said, “The President will return to the country after his brief work stay in France.”
In a statement he signed Thursday conveying Tinubu’s appreciation to the outgoing CJN, Justice OluKayode Ariwoola, Ngelale revealed that the President “will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on August 23, 2024.”
The National Judicial Council last week recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to head the country’s Judiciary at its meeting held on August 14 and 15, 2024.
Announcing its decision, the council said, “The NJC, at its 106th meeting presided over by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who bows out today, recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu and for appointment as the CJN.”
Kekere-Ekun, the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, will be sworn in as acting CJN pending her confirmation by the Senate.
She succeeds Ariwoola, who assumed office on June 27, 2022, and bowed out on Thursday, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.
At 66, Kekere-Ekun is expected to serve until her retirement in 2028.
In his message to the retired CJN, Tinubu described Ariwoola’s over three-decade stint as a “successful public service career,” commending him for his services to the nation.
Justice Ariwoola was sworn in as Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2022 and served the nation in diverse capacities as Justice of the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, Enugu and Lagos divisions before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.
“President Tinubu commends the eminent jurist for his services to the nation, noting his impactful leadership of the judiciary and his efforts in enriching Nigerian jurisprudence, as well as in strengthening the fibre of the law.
“The President thanks Justice Ariwoola and wishes him the very best for the future,” the statement read.
PUNCH