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In her first media interview after being sworn in as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun laid out an ambitious and thoughtful agenda aimed at strengthening the judiciary, enhancing its reputation, and restoring public confidence in the justice system.
Sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized that her vision for a more credible judiciary hinges on collective effort rather than individual action. “Ensuring that people have more confidence in the judiciary is a priority,” she remarked, “but it’s not something one person can achieve alone. We must all work together, as the areas needing improvement are clear to all of us.”
With decades of legal experience under her belt, Justice Kekere-Ekun spoke with the clarity and resolve of someone deeply committed to reform. “I believe that there will be maximum cooperation because we all want to see a better judiciary,” she asserted. Her words were not merely aspirational; they carried the weight of someone who understands the systemic flaws and the urgency to address them.
“A better judiciary serves the whole nation,” she continued, driving home the point that the judiciary is a reflection of society’s values and aspirations. “We all see the flaws in the system, but as members of society, we must take responsibility. If we want a better future, improvement must start with each of us and our commitment to justice.”
Read also: Parliamentarians Endorse Kekere-Ekun As Acting Chief Justice
Justice Kekere-Ekun also touched on the crucial issues of appointments and discipline within the judiciary, areas she acknowledged are sources of widespread concern. “Let us all have faith in the system and then also be particular about the process of appointment,” she urged. “The issue of discipline on the bench and at the bar are aspects that we will look into. I believe that by the grace of God, at the end of my tenure, we should be able to have a judiciary that we will all be proud of.”
The gravity of the occasion was underscored by the presence of her husband, Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, their children, and other family members who gathered in the council chambers to witness her historic elevation. The ceremony also drew dignitaries from across the legal and political spectrum, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the newly retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, former Chief Justice Justice Mahmud Mohammed, justices of the Supreme Court, senior judicial officials, and members of the Federal Executive Council.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s agenda is a clarion call for a collective embrace of the reforms needed to rejuvenate Nigeria’s judiciary, a task she approaches with both humility and determination.
