NJC Recommends Justice Kekere-Ekun as Chief Justice of Nigeria

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the appointment of Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR, as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria. This recommendation came during the NJC’s 106th meeting held on 14 and 15 August 2024, which was presided over by the outgoing Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON.

Soji Oye, Esq., Director of Information at the NJC, announced the recommendations on Thursday, highlighting the Council’s commitment to ensuring that the judiciary remains strong and effective in delivering justice

Justice Ariwoola, who has served as Chief Justice since 2022, is set to retire next week on 22 August 2024. The NJC’s recommendation for Justice Kekere-Ekun to succeed him comes at a crucial time for the judiciary, ensuring a smooth transition in the leadership of Nigeria’s highest court.

Alongside Justice Kekere-Ekun’s nomination, the NJC has also recommended twenty-eight candidates for various judicial appointments. These include judges for State High Courts and Customary Courts of Appeal, as well as a Kadi for the Sharia Court of Appeal in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Here is the list of recommended candidates:

Chief Justice of Nigeria:

– Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR

Judges for the High Court of Kwara State:

– Olawoyin, Ibijoke Olabisi

– Abdulrazaq, Fatimah Funsho

– Folorunsho, Oba Muritala

– Dikko, Yusuf Adebayo

– Adeniyi, Oluwatosin Adenike

– Osuolale-Ajayi, Temitope Olalekan

Judge for the High Court of Kaduna State:

– Zubairu, Murtala Ja’afaru

Judges for the High Court of Benue State:

– Kor, Vincent Tersoo

– Ikwulono, Maigida Maimuna

– Adagba, Nguhemen Julie

– Tor, Damian Tersugh

Judges for the Customary Court of Appeal, Benue State:

– Onche, Ogah Inalegwu

– Igba, Theophilus Terhile

Judges for the High Court of Rivers State:

– Onyiri, Frank

– Ugoji, Victor Chinedum

– Obomanu, Godswill Vidal

– Oguguo, Rita Chituru

– Fubara, Alatuwo Elkanah

– Kokpan, Bariyima Sylvester

– Obu, Ibietela Innocent Madighi

– Wifa-Adedipe, Lesi

Judges for the High Court of Ondo State:

– Daomi, Williams Adebisi

– Fabuluje, Adewumi William

– Ogunwumiju, Mobayonle Idowu

– Demehin-Ogunbayo, Inumidun Happiness

– Kpemi, Ojufisintei Justinah

– Adegoroye, Olufunke Adeola

Kadi for the Sharia Court of Appeal, FCT Abuja:

– Muhammad, Lawal Munir