During its 106th session, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has put forward the name of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu for the prestigious role of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Soji Oye, the spokesperson for the NJC, announced this development on Thursday, emphasizing the urgency of the recommendation as the current Chief Justice, Olukayode Ariwoola, is set to retire on August 22.
In addition to recommending Kekere-Ekun, the council has also put forth a list of 27 candidates for appointment as judges in various state courts, as well as one candidate for the position of Kadi of the Sharia Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
For the Kwara High Court, the appointed judges include Olawoyin Ibijoke Olabisi, Abdulrazaq Fatimah Funsho, Folorunsho Oba Muritala, Dikko Yusuf Adebayo, Adeniyi Oluwatosin Adenike, and Osuolale-Ajayi Temitope Olalekan.
The Kaduna High Court will welcome Zubairu Murtala Ja’afaru as its sole judge.
In Benue, judges Kor Vincent Tersoo, Ikwulono, Maigida Maimuna, Adagba, Nguhemen Julie, and Damian Tersugh have been selected for the High Court, while Onche Ogah Inalegwu and Igba Theophilus Terhile will serve at the Benue Division of the Customary Court of Appeal.
Rivers State will see eight new judges appointed to its High Court: Onyiri Frank, Ugoji Victor Chinedum, Obomanu Godswill Vidal, Oguguo Rita Chituru, Fubara Alatuwo Elkanah, Kokpan Bariyima Sylvester, Obu Ibietela Innocent Madighi, and Wifa-Adedipe Lesi.
The Ondo High Court will add six judges to its roster: Daomi Williams Adebisi, Fabuluje Adewumi William, Ogunwumiju Mobayonle, Idowu Demehin-Ogunbayo, Inumidun Happiness Kpemi, and Ojufisintei Justinah, alongside Adegoroye Olufunke Adeola.
Additionally, Muhammad Lawal Munir has been nominated as Kadi for the FCT Division of the Sharia Court of Appeal.
The statement highlighted that all candidates will take their oaths once the NJC’s recommendations receive approval from the president and the respective state governors.
If Justice Kekere-Ekun’s appointment is confirmed, she will make history as the second woman to hold the position of CJN, following Aloma Mukhtar, who became the first female Chief Justice on July 16, 2012, under then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
