The National Judicial Council (NJC) has officially recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for appointment as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). The recommendation was made during the NJC’s 106th meeting, presided over by the current Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, in Abuja on Thursday.

The NJC’s Director of Information, Soji Oye, confirmed the recommendation in an official statement, noting that Justice Kekere-Ekun’s nomination has been forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for approval. This move comes as Justice Ariwoola prepares to retire on August 22, 2024, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

“This recommendation is imperative as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola will formally bow out of office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria next week Thursday, August 22, 2024,” the statement read.

If approved by President Tinubu, Justice Kekere-Ekun will become the second female Chief Justice in Nigeria’s history, following in the footsteps of Justice Mariam Mukhtar, who served as CJN from July 2012 to November 2014.

In addition to recommending Justice Kekere-Ekun, the NJC also put forward the names of 27 other candidates for judicial appointments across various state courts. These include positions in high courts, customary courts of appeal, and the Sharia Court of Appeal in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The recommendations will be forwarded to the respective state governors and the president for final approval.

Here is the full list of candidates recommended for judicial appointments:

High Court of Kwara State:

  • Olawoyin, Ibijoke Olabisi
  • Abdulrazaq, Fatimah Funsho
  • Folorunsho, Oba Muritala
  • Dikko, Yusuf Adebayo
  • Adeniyi, Oluwatosin Adenike
  • Osuolale-Ajayi, Temitope Olalekan

High Court of Kaduna State:

  • Zubairu, Murtala Ja’afaru

High Court of Benue State:

  • Kor, Vincent Tersoo
  • Ikwulono, Maigida Maimuna
  • Adagba, Nguhemen Julie
  • Tor, Damian Tersugh

Customary Court of Appeal, Benue State:

  • Onche, Ogah Inalegwu
  • Igba, Theophilus Terhile

High Court of Rivers State:

  • Onyiri, Frank
  • Ugoji, Victor Chinedum
  • Obomanu, Godswill Vidal
  • Oguguo, Rita Chituru
  • Fubara, Alatuwo Elkanah
  • Kokpan, Bariyima Sylvester
  • Obu, Ibietela Innocent Madighi
  • Wifa-Adedipe, Lesi

High Court of Ondo State:

  • Daomi, Williams Adebisi
  • Fabuluje, Adewumi William
  • Ogunwumiju, Mobayonle Idowu
  • Demehin-Ogunbayo, Inumidun Happiness
  • Kpemi, Ojufisintei Justinah
  • Adegoroye, Olufunke Adeola

Sharia Court of Appeal, FCT Abuja:

  • Muhammad, Lawal Munir