FULL LIST: Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, 28 Others Recommended Nominated as Nigeria’s Next Chief Justice; NJC Recommends 28 Judges for State Courts

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has nominated Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). This decision was made during the NJC’s 106th meeting, chaired by the current Chief Justice, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, in Abuja. Justice Ariwoola, who will retire on August 22, 2024, recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun for the position to President Bola Tinubu.

The NJC’s Director of Information, Soji Oye, confirmed the recommendation, stating, “This is imperative as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will formally bow out of office as the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria next week Thursday, August 22, 2024.”

If approved by the president, Justice Kekere-Ekun will make history as the second woman to hold the position of CJN in Nigeria. The first female CJN was Justice Mariam Mukhtar, who served from July 2012 to November 2014.

In addition to Justice Kekere-Ekun’s nomination, the NJC also recommended 28 other individuals for judicial appointments. These include judges for state high courts and a Kadi for the Sharia Court of Appeal in Abuja. The nominations will be sent to the appropriate state governors and the president for final approval.

“The Council also recommends twenty-seven (27) candidates for appointment as judges of state courts and a candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja, to their various state governors and Mr. President,” the NJC statement added.

The nominated judges will be sworn in once their appointments are approved.

Here are the judges recommended by the NJC:

1. High Court of Kwara State: Olawoyin Ibijoke Olabisi, Abdulrazaq Fatimah Funsho, Folorunsho Oba Muritala, Dikko Yusuf Adebayo, Adeniyi Oluwatosin Adenike, Osuolale-Ajayi Temitope Olalekan.
2. High Court of Kaduna State: Zubairu Murtala Ja’afaru.
3. High Court of Benue State: Kor Vincent Tersoo, Ikwulono Maigida Maimuna, Adagba Nguhemen Julie, Tor Damian Tersugh.
4. Customary Court of Appeal, Benue State: Onche Ogah Inalegwu, Igba Theophilus Terhile.
5. High Court of Rivers State: Onyiri Frank, Ugoji Victor Chinedum, Obomanu Godswill Vidal, Oguguo Rita Chituru, Fubara Alatuwo Elkanah, Kokpan Bariyima Sylvester, Obu Ibietela Innocent Madighi, Wifa-Adedipe Lesi.
6. High Court of Ondo State: Daomi Williams Adebisi, Fabuluje Adewumi William, Ogunwumiju Mobayonle Idowu, Demehin-Ogunbayo Inumidun Happiness, Kpemi Ojufisintei Justinah, Adegoroye Olufunke Adeola.
7. Sharia Court of Appeal, FCT Abuja: Muhammad Lawal Munir.