Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun will be sworn in as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria today, August 23, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu at the State House Council Chambers in Abuja.

Naija News reports that Justice Kekere-Ekun will succeed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired on Thursday, August 22 after attaining the mandatory retirement age of seventy

Early life and background

Honourable Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, one of Nigeria’s leading jurists, was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom. Her parents, both from Lagos State, Nigeria, instilled in her a strong sense of heritage and values.

Justice Kekere-Ekun is the eldest of eleven siblings, born into a diverse and influential family. Her father, the late Senator HAB Fasinro, was a devout Muslim with a wealthy lineage linked to three royal families in Lagos.

Her mother, Mrs. Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu (née Savage), a devout Christian and a registered public health nurse, also comes from a prominent Lagos family.

Educational trip

Justice Kekere-Ekun’s educational path was marked by excellence from a young age. She attended private primary schools before moving to Queen’s College, Lagos in 1970.

Her passion for law took her to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) where she studied from 1977 to 1980. She then proceeded to study at the Nigerian Law School where she was called to the Bar in July 1981.

Her commitment to continuous education was demonstrated by the fact that in 1983 she obtained a Masters in Law from the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Legal career

Justice Kekere-Ekun began her illustrious judicial career in December 1989 as a Senior Magistrate Grade II in Lagos. Her dedication and expertise saw her rise rapidly to the rank of Judge and on July 19, 1996, she was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State.

Her legal acumen was further recognized with her elevation 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 Makurdi Division and later the Presiding Justice of Akure Division.

Elevation to the Supreme Court

On July 8, 2013, Justice Kekere-Ekun was appointed as a Supreme Court Justice, making her the fifth and youngest woman to hold this highly regarded position.

Her contributions to the judiciary extend beyond her judicial decisions. She serves on the Supreme Court Rules Committee and chairs the Supervisory Committee of the Court’s Litigation Department.

Her leadership roles also included the Chairmanship of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos, from November 1996 until the dissolution of the Tribunal in May 1999.

Professional Memberships and Contributions

Justice Kekere-Ekun’s influence and involvement in the legal community are extensive. She is a member of several professional bodies including the National Association of Women Judges, the International Association of Women Judges and the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, where she is a Fellow.

She has also been honoured as a Life Bencher by the Body of Benchers since 8th February 2018. Apart from her professional commitments, she is a member of the Ikoyi Club 1938, which reflects her involvement in social and cultural activities.

Personal life

Judge KMO Kekere-Ekun has been married to Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun since December 1983. The couple have three children, all of whom have completed higher education and excelled in their respective fields.

Despite her demanding career, she has built a strong family life in which she exudes values ​​of dedication, discipline and excellence, both professionally and personally.

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