It is no longer a news that Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has been sworn-in as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
She succeeds Ariwoola, who assumed office on June 27, 2022, and bowed out on Thursday, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.
Biography
Justice Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in Lagos State. Justice Kekere-Ekun, who was born on May 7, 1958, is 66 years old. Her state of origin is Lagos State, Nigeria. Her early education began at St. Mary’s School in Lagos, where she completed her primary schooling. For her secondary education, she attended the prestigious Queens College, Yaba, in Lagos.
In 1980, Justice Kekere-Ekun earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the University of Lagos, marking the start of her legal journey. Following her undergraduate studies, she completed the mandatory one-year program at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos, which qualified her to be called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981.
Her pursuit of legal excellence did not stop there. She continued her academic journey by enrolling at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in 1983.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s academic achievements laid a solid foundation for her illustrious career in law. Her education at some of the world’s most respected institutions equipped her with the knowledge and skills that have defined her contributions to the Nigerian judiciary.
Early Career
Justice Kekere-Ekun commenced her legal career in 1982, taking on the role of State Counsel at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice. During her seven-year tenure, she was deeply involved in various aspects of legal practice, which included drafting legal opinions, prosecuting cases, and representing the state in numerous legal matters.
Her early career at the Ministry of Justice provided her with a solid foundation in public service, where she honed her skills in both criminal and civil law. This period was crucial in shaping her understanding of the legal system from a governmental perspective.
After leaving public service in 1989, Justice Kekere-Ekun transitioned into private legal practice. In this phase of her career, she worked with various private law firms, gaining extensive experience in different areas of law. This move broadened her legal expertise and provided her with a more diverse perspective on legal practice.
In 1996, her judicial career took a significant turn when she was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State. In this role, she presided over numerous cases, dealing with complex legal issues and further establishing her reputation as a fair and knowledgeable judge.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s career saw further advancement in 2004 when she was elevated to the Court of Appeal, one of Nigeria’s highest appellate courts. As a Justice of the Court of Appeal, she delivered several notable judgments, contributing significantly to the development of Nigerian jurisprudence. Her work in this court solidified her standing as one of the country’s most respected jurists.
Her exceptional performance at the Court of Appeal led to her appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on June 8, 2013. This appointment was a testament to her legal acumen and dedication to the judiciary. As a Supreme Court Justice, she has been involved in numerous landmark decisions that have shaped the Nigerian legal landscape.
Landmark Judgements and Controversies
Justice Kekere-Ekun has delivered and participated in several landmark judgments and rulings during her tenure as a justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Some of her notable judgments include:
Hope Uzodinma v. Emeka Ihedioha: This case involved the 2019 Imo State gubernatorial election, where Uzodinma challenged Ihedioha’s victory.
Kekere-Ekun led the controversial Supreme Court judgement that declared Uzodinma the winner, based on the inclusion of results from 388 polling units that had previously been excluded. She read the judgment in January 2020.
Adeleke v. Oyetola: This case involved the Osun State governorship election dispute between Senator Ademola Adeleke and Governor Gboyega Oyetola. Adeleke challenged the election results, alleging irregularities and misconduct. Justice Kekere-Ekun, was part of the panel of justices that affirmed the election of Gboyega Oyetola as the governor of Osun State, dismissing the appeal filed by Adeleke. The Supreme Court’s decision was based on the failure of the appellant to prove substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the election.
Nyesom Wike v. Dakuku Peterside
This case revolved around the 2015 Rivers State governorship election, where Nyesom Wike was declared the winner, but the results were contested by Dakuku Peterside.
Justice Kekere-Ekun was part of the Supreme Court panel that upheld the election of Nyesom Wike as the governor of Rivers State.
The court dismissed the appeal filed by Peterside, affirming that the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the law. Kekere-Ekun held that While the Electoral Commission is duly conferred with powers to issue regulations, guidelines or manuals by the Electoral Act, so long as an act or omission regarding such regulations or guidelines is not contrary to the provisions of the Act itself, it shall not of itself be a ground for questioning the election.
Center for Oil Pollution Watch v. NNPC: In this case, Justice Kekere-Ekun ruled that a party directly affected by development can approach the court for redress. This decision expanded the scope of public interest litigation in Nigeria.
Awards and Recognitions
Justice Kekere-Ekun has received various awards and recognitions for her contributions to the legal profession and the judiciary in Nigeria. She has been honored with national awards and gender advocacy awards one of the leading female figures in Nigeria’s judiciary. Justice Kekere-Ekun has also received awards from various legal associations, such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), for her excellence in the legal profession.
