The Senate on Wednesday screened Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun CFR and confirmed her as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
The Senate, in the Committee of the Whole considered the request of President Bola Tinubu on the confirmation of the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Motunmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun CFR for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria in accordance with Section 231(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (4 amended).
The Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) moved the motion for the commencement of the confirmation hearing.
Justice Kekere-Ekun was subjected to rigorous questions on some of the concerns of the lawmakers, which have to do with indiscriminate granting of exparte motions by some judges, delay in justice dispensation, enforcement of Supreme Court judgement on the autonomy of local governments, negative perception of the judiciary, etc.
Justice Kekere-Ekun responded appropriately to the lawmakers’ questions, which was done within about 3 hours and assured the Senate that she will enforce disciplinary measures against judges found guilty of misconduct.
After the question and answer session, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio asked the nominee to take a bow and go.
Thereafter, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele then announced to the senators that they have security clearance from the police, DSS, etc and there was no petition from any quarter against the nominee.
The Senate President then put the question that those in support that the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Motunmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun as CJN be confirmed should say aye and it was a resounding “aye”.
Some senators who did not have the opportunity to ask questions during the confirmation hearing were asked to channel their questions through the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary and her office will attend to them.
In his closing remarks, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated Justice Kekere-Ekun and the entire judiciary and wish her success in her new assignment, adding that she should live by her words.
The judiciary, which is the last hope of the common man must at the same time know that in Nigerian judiciary, “the rich also cry”.