Justice Kekere-Ekun Vows to Restore Trust in Nigerian Judiciary
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, recently inaugurated as Chief Justice of Nigeria, has pledged to rebuild public confidence in the judiciary. Speaking after her swearing-in, she expressed commitment to elevating the judiciary and enhancing its reputation.
President Bola Tinubu, during the ceremony, urged Justice Kekere-Ekun to uphold integrity, protect judicial independence, and drive reforms to sustain public trust. He lauded her for her exceptional career, noting her progression from magistrate to Supreme Court justice as evidence of her diligence and integrity.
In her address, Justice Kekere-Ekun highlighted the judiciary’s collective responsibility for its improvement. “We aim to advance the judiciary to new heights. The progress of the judiciary is a shared effort, and improvements must begin with each of us,” she stated. She stressed the importance of refining judicial appointments and ensuring accountability within the system.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also acknowledged the need for faith in the judicial process and vowed to address concerns regarding the standards of practice. “By God’s grace, I hope that by the end of my tenure, we will have a judiciary we can all take pride in,” she added.
At the ceremony in Abuja’s Presidential Villa, President Tinubu praised outgoing Chief Justice Kayode Ariwoola for his distinguished service and highlighted Justice Kekere-Ekun’s significant achievements. He emphasized that her appointment marks a milestone for gender representation in Nigeria’s judiciary and encouraged her to uphold the highest standards of integrity.
The President also noted recent initiatives to strengthen the judiciary, including the Judicial Office Holders Act of 2024, which significantly increased judicial salaries, and the appointment of 11 new Supreme Court justices.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, present at the event, commended the smooth transition and praised President Tinubu’s dedication to maintaining democratic governance. He expressed optimism about Justice Kekere-Ekun’s tenure, celebrating her as a distinguished jurist and the second female Chief Justice in Nigeria’s history.
