Senate Confirms Kudirat Kekere-Ekun As Chief Justice Of Nigeria

As the 23rd person to assume the role, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has been confirmed as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

She was confirmed on Wednesday after the Senate questioned her for two hours on the improvements she planned to bring about in the judicial system.

Since August, Kekere-Ekun has been serving in an acting role, and she has made it clear that she is committed to bringing the courts up to date.

“I will ensure that the courts are digitised. It will make it easier in tracking cases, and judges could be called to order if they are not treating their cases expeditiously,” she stated during the confirmation hearing.

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She outlined several key initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, particularly in handling criminal cases.

“Especially in criminal matters where you have delays, we will use virtual hearings. It is something I will encourage so that criminal matters will be disposed of expeditiously,” she added.

In her vision for the judicial system, Kekere-Ekun also highlighted the importance of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods.

“I will employ the use of ADR to decongest matters in the courts. In the courts, there is always a victor and vanquished, but in ADR, all the parties will go home satisfied,” she explained.

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She further noted, “We are exploring ways to ensure that prison decongestion is frequently carried out. Virtual hearings will help fast-track cases; the failure to produce defendants is usually the delay in criminal cases.”

Following her presentation, Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele confirmed that there were no petitions against Kekere-Ekun’s nomination.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, conducted a voice vote, leading to her formal confirmation as Chief Justice.