The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

NJC spokesperson, Soji Oye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, stating that the decision was made during the Council’s 106th meeting, which was presided over by the current CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. The meeting took place on August 14 and 15 in Abuja, just a week before Justice Ariwoola’s retirement as CJN.

"This recommendation is essential as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, will officially retire from his position as the Chief Justice of Nigeria next Thursday, August 22, 2024," the statement read.

Justice Olukayode Ariwoola was appointed as the CJN on September 21, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He is set to retire on August 22, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Currently, the Supreme Court has a full bench of 21 Justices, and according to the longstanding tradition of the apex court, the next most senior Justice is typically appointed as CJN. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, being the most senior Justice on the bench, is the most likely candidate to succeed.

The NJC also recommended "twenty-seven (27) candidates for appointment as Judges of State Courts and one candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja," to their respective State Governors and the President.

The full statement from the NJC is as follows:

The National Judicial Council, at its 106th Meeting presided over by the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, held on August 14 & 15, 2024, recommended Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

This recommendation is crucial as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, will officially retire from his position as the Chief Justice of Nigeria next Thursday, August 22, 2024.

The Council also recommended twenty-seven (27) candidates for appointment as Judges of State Courts and one candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja, to their respective State Governors and the President.

CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA

Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR

SIX JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF KWARA STATE

Olawoyin, Ibijoke Olabisi

Abdulrazaq, Fatimah Funsho

Folorunsho, Oba Muritala

Dikko, Yusuf Adebayo

Adeniyi, Oluwatosin Adenike

Osuolale-Ajayi, Temitope Olalekan

ONE JUDGE, HIGH COURT OF KADUNA STATE

Zubairu, Murtala Ja’afaru

FOUR JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF BENUE STATE

Kor, Vincent Tersoo

Ikwulono, Maigida Maimuna

Adagba, Nguhemen Julie

Tor, Damian Tersugh

TWO JUDGES, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, BENUE STATE

Onche, Ogah Inalegwu

Igba, Theophilus Terhile

EIGHT JUDGES, 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

SIX JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF ONDO STATE

Daomi, Williams Adebisi

Fabuluje, Adewumi William

Ogunwumiju, Mobayonle Idowu

Demehin-Ogunbayo, Inumidun Happiness

Kpemi, Ojufisintei Justinah

Adegoroye, Olufunke Adeola

ONE KADI, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, FCT ABUJA

Muhammad, Lawal Munir

All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective State Governors.

Soji Oye, Esq.

Director, Information