NJC Recommends Justice Kekere-Ekun As CJN, Approves 28 Judges For State Courts

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has
recommended 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 heel of fact that the incumbent CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola will formally bow out of office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria next week Thursday August , 22, 2024.

If approved by President Tinubu, Justice Kekere-Ekun would be second female Chief Justice of Nigeria coming after Justice Mouktar Aloma as the first female CJN.

The Council also recommended 28 candidates for appointment as Judges of States 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  signed by the NJC Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye and released on Thursday 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 Benue state Customary Court of Appeal and they are Onche Ogah Inalegwu and
Igba Theophilus Terhile.

NJC nominated one candidate for Kaduna state high court and is Zubairu, Murtala Ja’afaru and for the Federal Capital Territory Sharia Court of Appeal  Muhammed  Lawal  Munir was nominated.

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.

PR Garry Ochigbo