Career of Justices Kekere-Ekun

Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun has had a distinguished career in the Nigerian judiciary, marked by several significant milestones:

Early Career: Born on May 7, 1958, in London, UK, Justice Kekere-Ekun obtained her LL.B from the University of Lagos in 1980 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. Her journey into the judiciary began when she joined the Lagos State Judiciary as a Senior Magistrate Grade II in December 1989, later rising to become a High Court Judge in July 1996.
Judicial Roles: She served as the Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, from November 1996 to May 1999, a role that placed her at the forefront of combating serious crimes in Lagos. Her tenure here was noted for its impact on reducing armed robbery, which earned her both praise and criticism from different quarters.
Court of Appeal: In 2004, she was elevated to the Court of Appeal, where she served as the pioneer Presiding Justice of the Makurdi Division and later the Akure Division. Her time at the Court of Appeal was also marked by her involvement in modernizing court processes, including serving on the Information Technology Committee aimed at computerizing court operations.
Supreme Court: Justice Kekere-Ekun was appointed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July 2013, becoming one of the youngest and the fifth female justice at the apex court. Her tenure at the Supreme Court has been notable for her participation in landmark decisions, including the controversial Imo State governorship election case in 2020, where her panel’s decision significantly altered the political landscape by declaring a candidate who initially came fourth as the winner.
Notable Achievements:
Awards: She received the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2022, recognizing her contributions to the judiciary.
Leadership: She has been involved in various judicial committees aimed at improving judicial processes, including the Supreme Court Rules Committee and the Supervisory Committee of the Litigation Department.
Controversies: Her career has not been without controversy, notably her involvement in the Supreme Court decision regarding the Imo State election, which led to a visa ban by the USA, highlighting international scrutiny over judicial decisions in Nigeria.
Current Role: As of August 22, 2024, Justice Kekere-Ekun has been recommended for the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), following the retirement of her predecessor. Her appointment marks her as the second woman to hold this position in Nigeria’s history.

Justice Kekere-Ekun’s career reflects a blend of judicial innovation, significant legal decisions, and a commitment to judicial reform, albeit with moments of controversy that have drawn both national and international attention.