The National Judicial Council (NJC), has recommended Hon. Justice Kudirat Adetokunbo Motonmori Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
This decision of the NJC is on the heels of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola’s formal bowing out of office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria next Thursday, 22 August, 2024.
If approved by President Tinubu, Justice Kekere-Ekun would be the second female Chief Justice of Nigeria coming after Justice Mouktar Aloma as the first female CJN.
Besides, the Council also recommended 28 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.
The recommendation was made by NJC at its 106th meeting of August 14 and 15 presided over by the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
A statement by the NJC Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye and released on Thursday, 15 August, 2024 in Abuja contained the recommendations.
At the meeting, six candidates were recommended to Kwara State Governor for appointment as Judges of the High Court in the state.
They are: Olawoyin Ibijoke Olabisi, Abdulrazaq Fatimah Funsho, Folorunsho Oba Muritala, Dikko Yusuf Adebayo, Adeniyi Oluwatosin Adenike and Osuolale-Ajayi Temitope Olalekan.
Rivers State has eight candidates for appointments into its high court and they are: Onyiri Frank, Ugoji Victor Chinedum, Obomanu Godswill Vidal, Oguguo Rita Chituru, Fubara Alatuwo Elkanah, Kokpan Bariyima Sylvester, Obu Ibietela Innocent Madighi and Wifa-Adedipe Lesi.
On its part, Ondo State has six nominees and they are: Daomi Williams Adebisi, Fabuluje Adewumi William, Ogunwumiju Mobayonle Idowu, Demehin-Ogunbayo Inumidun Happiness, Kpemi Ojufisintei Justinah and Adegoroye Olufunke Adeola.
Benue Judiciary has recommended four candidates as Judges and they comprised:
Kor Vincent Tersoo, Ikwulono Maigida Maimuna, Adagba Nguhemen Julie and
Tor Damian Tersugh.
In addition, the Council forwarded two nominees for appointment as Judges of the Benue State Customary Court of Appeal. They are Onche Ogah Inalegwu and Igba Theophilus Terhile.
NJC nominated one candidate for Kaduna State High Court, Zubairu, Murtala Ja’afaru.
A Kadi for the Federal Capital Territory Sharia Court of Appeal was nominated as
Muhammad Lawal Munir.
According to the NJC statement, all recommended candidates are to be sworn-in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective state Governors.
