Kekere-Ekun to succeed Ariwoola as CJN

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the appointment of Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

 

Justice Kekere-Ekun is to replace Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who will retire on August 22 as the CJN.

 

The NJC made the recommendation to President Bola Tinubu at its 106 meeting held in Abuja between August 14 and 15.

 

 

The spokesman for the NJC, Soji Oye said in a statement on Thursday that the decision became imperative because Justice Ariwoola “will formally bow out of office as the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria next week Thursday on 22 August 2024.”

 

Oye added: “Council also recommend 27 candidates for appointment as judges of states courts and a candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja to their various state governors and Mr. President.

 

 

“All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in after the approval of the NJC’s recommendations to the President and their respective state governors.”

 

 

For the High Court of Kwara State, the NJC recommended the appointment of six judges.

 

They are Olawoyin Ibijoke Olabisi, Abdulrazaq Fatimah Funsho, Folorunsho Oba Muritala,

 

Dikko Yusuf Adebayo, Adeniyi Oluwatosin Adenike, and Osuolale-Ajayi Temitope Olalekan.

 

 

For the High Court of Rivers State, eight were recommended. They are 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 NJC also recommended six for appointment as judges of the High Court of Ondo State.

 

They are Daomi Williams Adebisi, Fabuluje Adewumi William, Ogunwumiju Mobayonle Idowu, Demehin-Ogunbayo Inumidun Happiness, Kpemi Ojufisintei Justinah and Adegoroye Olufunke Adeola.

 

 

Four were recommended for the High Court of Benue State.  They are Kor Vincent Tersoo, Ikwulono Maigida Maimuna, Adagba Nguhemen Julie and Tor Damian Tersugh.

 

The NJC also recommended Onche Ogah Inalegwu and Igba Theophilus Terhile for appointment as judges of Benue State Customary Court of Appeal.

 

It recommended Zubairu Murtala Ja’afaru for appointment as a judge of the High Court of Kaduna State and Muhammad Lawal Munir as a kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).