President Bola Tinubu has formally asked the Senate to approve Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
This was contained in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday.
Justice Kekere-Ekun has been acting as the CJN since August following Justice Olukayode Ariwoola’s retirement. President Tinubu had sworn her in temporarily.
In his letter, Tinubu referenced Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which gave the President the authority to appoint the CJN upon recommendations from the National Judicial Council, NJC, subject to Senate confirmation.
The President expressed faith in Kekere-Ekun and urged the Senate to act promptly.
“I hereby forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, CON, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I trust that this request will receive the Senate’s prompt consideration and approval,” Tinubu stated in his letter.
Akpabio referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation, which is expected to take place on Wednesday.