The National Judicial Council (NJC) will meet on Friday, August 16, to choose the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). This meeting comes as the current Chief Justice, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, is set to retire on August 22, 2024, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
A reliable source from the Supreme Court revealed on Tuesday that the NJC is arranging to discuss and select a candidate for the top judicial position. The names proposed during this meeting will be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for final approval.
According to the source, “The NJC has fixed Friday to meet to decide on the name to be forwarded to the President on who the next CJN would be. No name has been sent to the President yet as the NJC has not even met.”
Currently, the Supreme Court consists of 21 Justices. According to traditional practices, the next Chief Justice is expected to be the most senior Justice on the bench. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who holds the position of the most senior Justice, is considered the leading candidate for this role.
Justice Ariwoola’s retirement will prompt the appointment of a new CJN under Section 231 (4) of the 1999 Constitution. As the most senior Justice, Justice Kekere-Ekun is anticipated to succeed him. A source has mentioned that Justice Kekere-Ekun’s elevation to the position is “very certain.”
The source explained, “This one is very certain. You know normally they will send three names but it is always the most senior and even the most senior is already warming up to take over.”
If confirmed, Justice Kekere-Ekun will become only the second woman to serve as Chief Justice of Nigeria, following Justice Aloma Mukhtar, who held the position from July 2012 to November 2014.
At 66 years old, Justice Kekere-Ekun will serve a term of four years, concluding in 2028 when she reaches the retirement age of 70.
Justice Kekere-Ekun has had a distinguished career, starting in private legal practice before moving to the judiciary. She has held various positions, including Senior Magistrate, High Court Judge, Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Court of Appeal Judge, and finally, a Supreme Court Justice.
