Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has been officially confirmed as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria, becoming the 23rd person to hold the position.
According to the Cable, her confirmation came on Wednesday following a rigorous two-hour questioning session by the Nigerian Senate. She had been serving as acting CJN since August.
During the confirmation hearing, Kekere-Ekun outlined her vision for reforming the judiciary, focusing on the need to adopt technology and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to ease the burden on the judicial system.
“I will ensure that the courts are digitized,” she stated, emphasizing the potential benefits of modernizing the courts. “It will make case tracking easier and judges can be held accountable for any delays in handling cases.”
Kekere-Ekun also expressed her commitment to addressing delays in criminal cases, noting that virtual court proceedings could expedite the process. “Especially in criminal matters, where you have delays, we will use virtual hearings. It is something I will encourage to ensure these cases are resolved swiftly.”
In addition to digital reforms, the new CJN plans to implement ADR systems to reduce the backlog of cases and ease congestion in correctional facilities. “In the courts, there is always a victor and a vanquished, but with ADR, all parties can leave satisfied,” she added.
Kekere-Ekun’s confirmation marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s judicial history as she takes on the role of leading the country’s judicial arm.
