The National Judicial Council (NJC) will convene on Friday, August 16, to select the successor for the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Ariwoola, who will retire on August 22 upon reaching the mandatory age of 70, will be succeeded by the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, in line with the tradition and Section 231 (4) of the 1999 Constitution.
Currently, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is the most senior Justice on the Supreme Court bench and is expected to be the next CJN. If confirmed, she will become Nigeria’s second female CJN, following Justice Aloma Mukhtar. Kekere-Ekun, 66, would lead the judiciary until 2028 when she reaches the retirement age of 70.
The NJC’s decision will be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for final approval. The Supreme Court, which is currently at full strength with 21 Justices, has scheduled a valedictory session on August 22 to honor Ariwoola’s service.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who has had a distinguished career including roles as a Senior Magistrate, High Court Judge, and Court of Appeal Justice before her recent elevation to the Supreme Court, is anticipated to take over the role seamlessly.
