Recently, the name, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has become very popular among Nigerians, many thanks to her recommendation as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Kekere-Ekun is set to be sworn in as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, August 23, 2024, at the State House Council Chambers in Abuja.
Now, Nigerians are eager to know more about the next CJN.
Justice Kekere-Ekun is set to succeed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired from service on Thursday, August 22, after attaining the mandatory retirement age of seventy years.
As the events unfold, many Nigerians cannot help but wonder if Kekere-Ekun will make a better CJN than Ariwoola.
These people are of the opinion that the former CJN failed them.
Here, in this article, iBrandtv.com highlights all Nigerians may need to know about Justice Kekere-Ekun.
Early Life And Background
Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, one of Nigeria’s distinguished jurists, was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom.
Her parents were both natives of Lagos State, Nigeria.
Justice Kekere-Ekun is the eldest of eleven siblings, born to a diverse and influential family. Her father, the late Senator H.A.B. Fasinro, was a devout Muslim with a rich lineage connected to three royal families in Lagos.
Her mother, Mrs. Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu (née Savage), a devout Christian and a qualified Public Health Nurse, also hails from a prominent Lagos family.
Education
Justice Kekere-Ekun attended private primary schools before moving on to Queen’s College, Lagos, in 1970.
With a burning passion for law she found her way into the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
At UNILAG, she studied from 1977 to 1980.
She proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, where she was called to the Bar in July 1981.
In a quest for more knowledge, Kekere-Ekun earned a master’s degree in law from the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 1983.
Justice Kekere-Ekun And The Judicial Journey
Kekere-Ekun took off her judicial journey as a Senior Magistrate Grade II in Lago.
This was in December 1989.
With dedication and expertise, Kekere quickly grew in rank.
By July 19, 1996, she was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State.
She was elevated to the Court of Appeal in September 2004, where she served in five different Divisions across Nigeria.
Notably, she was the pioneer Presiding Justice of the Makurdi Division and later the Presiding Justice of the Akure Division.
Kekere-Ekun And The Supreme Court
July 8, 2013, will surely remain a memorable day for Justice Kekere-Ekun.
That was the day she was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
Also Read: FULL LIST: NJC Recommends Kekere-Ekun As CJN, 28 Judges
On that day, she became the fifth and youngest female to hold that position.
Her contributions to the judiciary extend beyond her court rulings.
She is a member of the Supreme Court Rules Committee and the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the Litigation Department of the Court.
Her leadership roles have also included serving as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos, from November 1996 until the tribunal’s dissolution in May 1999.
Personal Life
Justice K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun has been married to Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun since December 1983.
The couple has three children.
