Nigeria’s new Chief Justice Kekere Ekun, has been appointed, but who is she?

Nigeria’s new Chief Justice Kekere Ekun, has been appointed, but who is she?

Nigeria’s new Chief Justice Kekere Ekun, has been appointed, but who is she?

Nigeria Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo CFR, widely recognized as Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is a distinguished Nigerian jurist who has held the esteemed position of Chief Justice of Nigeria since August 22, 2024.

Born on May 7, 1958, she ascended to this role following the retirement of Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Her judicial career commenced in the Lagos State Judiciary, where she initially served as Senior Magistrate II before advancing to the role of State High Court Judge.

Notably, she chaired the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal in Zone II, Ikeja, from November 1996 to May 1999, and was appointed to the Nigerian Court of Appeal in 2004, ultimately becoming a Justice of the Supreme Court in July 2013.

Justice Kekere-Ekun’s significant contributions to the judiciary include her involvement in a landmark case in 2020, where she was part of the seven-member panel that overturned the election of Imo State governor Emeka Ihedioha, declaring Hope Uzodinma of the All-Progressives Congress as the rightful winner, despite Uzodinma initially placing fourth in the election results.

This controversial ruling was met with criticism from Ihedioha, who described it as “unfair and unjust,” yet he expressed his intention to respect the court’s decision.

Her role in such pivotal cases underscores her influence and the weight of her judicial decisions in Nigeria’s legal landscape.

Born in London to parents from Lagos State, Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is the eldest of eleven siblings, reflecting a family dynamic that emphasizes diversity and influence.

She began her educational journey at private primary schools before attending Queen’s College in Lagos in 1970.

Her passion for law led her to the University of Lagos, where she studied from 1977 to 1980, followed by her admission to the Nigerian Law School, culminating in her call to the Bar in July 1981.

In 1983, she further enhanced her legal expertise by earning a master’s degree in law from the London School of Economics and Political Science, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in Nigeria’s judiciary.

Source: NAN.

Images: Babajide Sanwoolu on X. 

Images: Babajide Sanwoolu on X. 

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