Shortly after being sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, the newly appointed Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), shared her ambitious agenda for the nation’s judiciary in a media interview.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who now leads Nigeria’s highest judicial institution, pledged to elevate the judiciary, enhance its reputation, and sustain public confidence in the judicial system.
She emphasized the collective responsibility required to achieve these goals.
“We will make sure that people have more confidence in the judiciary, and I believe that it is not a one-man job. We all have to be on board because we all see the areas that are in need of improvement,” she stated.
The new CJN expressed optimism that her vision would garner widespread support, underscoring that “a better judiciary is for the benefit of the entire nation.”
She called on all stakeholders to contribute to the improvement of the judicial system, starting with their own approaches to justice.
“Whatever the shortcomings that we see today are, we are all members of society, so if we want to see a better society, if we want to see improvement, let the improvement start with each and every one of us and our approach to justice,” she added.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also addressed concerns about the judicial appointment process and the need for strict discipline within both the bench and the bar.
“Let us all have faith in the system and then also be particular about the process of appointment. I know it is a source of a lot of concern; the issue of discipline on the bench and at the bar as well. All of these things are aspects that we will look into,” she assured.
She concluded her remarks with a hopeful outlook, stating, “I believe that by the grace of God, at the end of my tenure, we should be able to have a judiciary that we will all be proud of.”
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the council chambers, was a momentous occasion attended by Justice Kekere-Ekun’s family, including her husband, Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, and her children.
Other notable attendees included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the recently retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, justices of the Supreme Court, senior judicial officers, and members of the Federal Executive Council.