The Senate on Wednesday, confirmed the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for appointment as the substantive CJN.
This is even as Justice Kekere-Ekun called for the termination of pre-election cases at the Appeal Court as against the current practice where they get to the Supreme Court while answering questions from Senators during her screening.
“All pre-election matters will terminate at the Court of Appeal. I have zero tolerance for corruption,” she stated.
The CJN also canvassed that stringent process should be applied in the appointment of Judges. She called for tougher penalties against erring judicial officers over conflicting judgments.
She vowed to ensure zero tolerance for corruption as well as insulate the judiciary from external influences.
The screening comes after the Senate received a letter from President Bola Tinubu, which was presented during Tuesday’s plenary session by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
During the screening on Wednesday, the Senate suspended its standing rules to allow visitors, including Supreme Court judges, judicial officers, and senior presidential aides on National Assembly matters, to enter the chamber.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who was sworn in as the acting Chief Justice by President Bola Tinubu, made this assertion during her Senate screening for confirmation as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Kekere-Ekun has been serving in an acting capacity since August, following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
She becomes Nigeria’s 23rd substantive Chief Justice and the second female to hold the position in the nation’s history.