President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after a three-day working visit to France. The President’s Airbus A330 landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at approximately 2:25 am on Friday.
President Tinubu had shortened his trip to France to swear in the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, at the Council Chambers of the State House. He departed for France on Monday for what was described by the presidency as a “brief work stay.” While the specific purpose and duration of the visit were not disclosed, a statement from his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, confirmed that the President would return after his brief stay.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Ngelale conveyed President Tinubu’s gratitude to the outgoing Chief Justice, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and announced that the President “will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on August 23, 2024.”
The National Judicial Council (NJC) had previously recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to President Tinubu as Ariwoola’s replacement. This recommendation came during the NJC’s 106th meeting on August 15, presided over by Justice Ariwoola himself. The council stated, “The NJC, at its 106th meeting presided over by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who bows out today, recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu for appointment as the CJN.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun, the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, will be sworn in as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria pending her confirmation by the Senate. She is set to succeed Justice Ariwoola, who retired on Thursday after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
At 66 years old, Justice Kekere-Ekun is expected to serve until her retirement in 2028.
In his message to the retired CJN, President Tinubu praised Ariwoola’s over 30-year public service career, highlighting his dedication and contributions to the nation. Justice Ariwoola was appointed as the Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2022, after serving as a Justice of the Court of Appeal in the Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos divisions, before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.
Justice Kekere-Ekun will take the oath of office as the Acting Chief Justice at 11 am on Friday.
