- Swears In New CJN Friday
By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrated Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as he formally bowed out as the Chief Justice of Nigeria on Thursday, August 22, 2024.
The President showered praises on Ariwoola, commending him for what he called “his hard work, dedication and service to Nigeria and humanity.”
Tinubu, who was represented by his Vice President, Kashim Shettima made this known at the public presentation of the book ‘Judging with Justice: The Autobiography of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola’ at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
This was also contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha.
The statement reads in part: “His Lordship’s long and inspiring career on the bench is a testament to the reward for hard work, dedication, and selfless service to the nation and humanity.
“As Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship Justice Ariwoola has used his vast experience and capacity to address the challenges facing the Supreme Court and the Nigerian judiciary.”
“The pensions of judicial officers have been fairly secured as retired judges will now enjoy their full pay as their pension for life. Incisive judgements that provide extensive societal reforms, such as the one that recently liberated the local government councils from the shackles of financial lack, are critical to our society’s growth and development,” he added.
Tinubu who said he wishes Justice Ariwoola a happy retirement and more success in his future endeavours, hopes that “his legacy inspires us to strive for excellence and justice in our public service”.
Born on August 22, 1954, Justice Ariwoola was elevated to the Supreme Court court on November 22, 2011, and was appointed substantive CJN on June 27, 2022, following the resignation of his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad.
He was formally confirmed Chief Justice of Nigeria by the Senate on September 21, 2022.
Meanwhile, Tinubu will on Friday swear in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The inauguration ceremony will take place at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale on Thursday.
The swearing-in is coming after the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to Tinubu as Ariwoola’s successor.
The New Diplomat reports that Kekere-Ekun is one of the top female Justices in the nation’s apex court.
The 66-year-old jurist was born on May 7, 1958. She bagged her law degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1981.
She thereafter proceeded to the London School of Economic and Political Science to obtain an LL.M. in November 1983.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s legal career started in Lagos as a private lawyer from 1985 to 1989.
In December 1989, she was appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II, Lagos State Judiciary. She later became a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996, and served as chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lago,s from November 1996 to May 1999.
Kekere-Ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal on 22nd September 2004 where she served in various Divisions of the Court and as presiding Justice of two Divisions of the Court (Makurdi & Akure).
She was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the 5th female Justice of the Court and was sworn in on Monday 8 July 2013.
