Tinubu reduces stay in France to swear in Kekere -Ekun
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on Thursday, said the Supreme Court is being overburdened by too many cases which ordinarily would have terminated at the appellate court.
Speaking at a valedictory session held in his honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) said adequate measures must be put in place to reduce the burden on the apex court
He said access to justice has contributed largely to the delay in the hearing of cases as litigants and lawyers are forced to wait for several years to have their cases decided.
Justice Ariwoola explained that the right to a fair hearing can only be guaranteed when lawyers and litigants do not have to wait for so long to have their cases heard.
He also stressed the need for the bench to have more judicial officers to adjudicate on all matters timeously.
Justice Ariwoola, who turned 70 on Thursday, August 22, 2024, was sworn in as substantive CJN in October 2022 after his confirmation by the Senate, following his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2022.
He was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2011. Before then, Ariwoola was a Justice of the Court of Appeal between 2005 and 2011 having been elevated from the State High Court of Oyo State.
He studied law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife and bagged his bachelor of laws degree with honours in July 1980. In July 1981, Ariwoola was called to the Bar and enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor.
Salient Times had reported that the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu for appointment as the new CJN.
Tinubu reduces stay in France to swear in Kekere -Ekun
President Bola Tinubu will today Friday, swear in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
He said the swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Justice Kekere-Ekun will succeed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who bowed out on Thursday after clocking the retirement age of 70 years.
The President also congratulated Ariwoola, whose stint in the judiciary he described as a “successful public service career,” commending him for his services to the nation.
“President Bola Tinubu congratulates Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, as he retires as Chief Justice of Nigeria after a successful public service career,” the statement read.
“President Tinubu will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on August 23, 2024.
“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.”
Justice Ariwoola had served as Justice of the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos divisions before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.
He was sworn in as Chief Justice of Nigeria on September 21, 2022 by former President Muhammadu Buhari and had also served the nation in diverse capacities as a judicial officer.
NJC’s recommendation
The National Judicial Council (NJC) had last week recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Tinubu as Ariwoola’s successor.
NJC spokesman, Soji Oye, who disclosed this in a statement, had said the decision was taken following the Council’s 106th Meeting presided over by the CJN Justice Olukayode Ariwoola
“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.
The Supreme Court currently has the full complement of 21 Justices. In the long tradition of the apex court, the next most senior Justice will step in.
By their hierarchies, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is the most senior Justice on the apex court bench which puts her in the position to succeed Justice Ariwoola.
Quick Facts About Justice Kekere-Ekun
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is one of the top female Justices in the nation’s apex court.
The 66-year-old jurist was born on May 7, 1958. She bagged her law degree from University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1981.
She thereafter proceeded to the London School of Economic and Political Science to obtain an LL.M. in November 1983.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s legal career started in Lagos as a private lawyer from 1985 to 1989.
In December 1989, she was appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II, Lagos State Judiciary. She later became a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996 and served as Chairman Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos from November 1996 to May 1999.
Kekere-Ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal on 22nd September 2004 where she served in various Divisions of the Court and as presiding Justice of two Divisions of the Court (Makurdi & Akure).
She was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the 5th female Justice of the Court and was sworn in on Monday 8 July 2013.
The incoming CJN has attended numerous courses and seminars within and outside Nigeria and also received several merit awards.
Currently, she is a life Bencher and a member of the International Association of Women Judges and currently its President.
She is happily married with children.
