On Monday, September 30, 2024, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was sworn in as Nigeria’s 23rd Chief Justice, becoming the second woman to hold the position. Her appointment comes at a time when public trust in the judiciary is at an all-time low due to issues like corruption, delayed justice, and conflicting court judgments.
In her inaugural speech, Justice Kekere-Ekun outlined her vision for reforming the judiciary. Her agenda includes limiting pre-election cases from reaching the Supreme Court, full digitalization of court processes, and curbing the abuse of ex-parte orders. She emphasized the need for swift justice to restore confidence in the legal system.
Prominent legal figures have expressed cautious optimism. Former Nigerian Bar Association president, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, stressed the urgency of reforms to rebuild public trust and urged the new CJN to focus on speeding up justice delivery. He recommended modernizing court procedures and introducing a “Speed of Justice” program to resolve cases more efficiently.
Senior lawyer Wahab Shittu (SAN) praised Justice Kekere-Ekun’s leadership and predicted radical reforms, especially regarding corruption and ethical standards. He anticipated that her tenure would see improved efficiency in court operations, technological advancement, and a renewed focus on professional integrity.
However, some experts cautioned that entrenched interests within the judiciary might resist the proposed changes. They stressed the importance of the National Judicial Council’s (NJC) support and advocated for a merit-based system in the appointment of judges.
The new CJN’s reforms are viewed as critical to restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary, with stakeholders hopeful for a more transparent and efficient system under her leadership.
