By Mark Lenu
The Rivers State Branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers has expressed joy over the appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
On Friday, President Bola Tinubu administered the oath of office to Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), pending her confirmation by the Senate.
The swearing-in of the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria and the second female justice to hold the office took place at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
In his remarks, President Tinubu urged the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria to defend the independence of the judiciary and promote the cause of justice.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Chairperson of FIDA in Rivers State, Adata Bio-Briggs said: “We are very happy about it and it shows that women have capacity.”
FIDA further described the acting CJN as a professional lawyer who will uphold the constitution as written and also wished her good luck.
IMPORTANT FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW ACTING CJN:
Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo KEKERE-EKUN CFR was born on May 7, 1958.
She obtained her LL.B in 1980 from the University of Lagos and LL.M from the London School of Economic and Political Science in November 1983.
She was called to the Nigerian Bar on 10th July 1981.
She was appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II, Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989.
She was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State in July 1996.
She served as chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos from November 1996 to May 1999.
She was elevated as a Justice of the Court of Appeal on 22nd September 2004.
She served as a member of the Court of Appeal ICT Committee from June 2011 to July 2013.
She has attended numerous courses and seminars within and outside Nigeria, such as:
(1) Case Management and Court Administration Training Workshop which was organized by the National Centre for State Courts in June 2001.
(2) ICT Training Course on Information Technology Infrastructure Library in Dubai UAE in July 2012.
(3) The 34th Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime, Cambridge, UK in September 2016.
She was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on June 8, 2013.
She had delivered papers at various workshops, seminars, and training workshops for magistrates and judges among which were:
(1) “Delay in Election Tribunal Proceedings: Solutions” which she delivered at the All Nigerian Judges’ Conference, Abuja between 16th – 20th November 2009,
(2) “Law: A Tool for Social Change” which she delivered at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ibadan Branch Law Week on 30th November 2010.
(3) “Supreme Court Perspective” which she delivered at the 2015 ALL NIGERIAN JUDGES CONFERENCE, ABUJA on 25th November 2015.
(4) And she also delivered a paper on “Stimulation and Sustenance of Economic Development through the Use of ADR Systems in the Judicial Process.”
She is a member of some notable clubs and Professional Associations and has received several merit awards.
She enjoys reading, music, information technology, and counseling.
She is happily married with children.
