The Senate has confirmed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
The confirmation was done on Wednesday.
Kekere-Ekun had been acting in that capacity since August when the president made the appointment following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
She was accompanied by other Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Justices to the Senate Chamber by 12:30 pm.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had transmitted a letter to the Senate requesting her confirmation as CJN, which was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday.
The President said the request was under section 231(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended which gives the president powers to appoint the CJN on the recommendation of the National Judicial Commission (NJC).
“I have the honour to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun CON for confirmation as CJN,” the letter read in part.
The Senate President Godswill Akpabio after reading the letter referred the request to the committee of the whole for consideration on Wednesday.
Justice Kekere-Ekun then appeared before the committee for interview and screening, where she made a presentation promising that she would tackle corruption in the Judiciary.
While emphasising that integrity and strict adherence to the rule of law are central to her judicial approach, she assured the lawmakers that once confirmed she would prioritise the speedy handling of petitions before the courts.
She promised to ensure external influence, especially from the Judiciary is curtailed even as she promised better welfare and infrastructure for the Judiciary.
She also affirmed that she would leverage technology to ensure quick dispensation of justice, vowing that there would be no hiding place for corrupt individuals and criminals.
The Senate after the interactive session confirmed her appointment as the CJN.
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