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Justice Kekere-Ekun set to take helm at Supreme Court

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun of the Supreme Court is set to become the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

If she assumes the role, she will be the second female justice to hold this esteemed position after Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, who served as CJN from July 2012 to November 2014, a tenure of 28 months.

Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the current CJN, will officially retire on Thursday, August 22, 2024, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.

As the most senior justice of the Supreme Court following Ariwoola, Justice Kekere-Ekun is the favored candidate to succeed him.

At 66 years old, Justice Kekere-Ekun could potentially serve up to four years, in contrast to the average two-year tenure of most of her predecessors. Her appointment will also make her the head of the National Judicial Council (NJC), which is responsible for overseeing the appointment, promotion, and discipline of judges across Nigeria.

Born on May 7, 1958, Justice Kekere-Ekun obtained her LL. B in 1980 from the University of Lagos and her LL.M from the London School of Economics and Political Science in November 1983.

She was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981. From 1985 to 1989, she worked in private practice before being appointed Senior Magistrate Grade II in the Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989.

She became a judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996, and served as chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos, from November 1996 to May 1999.

Justice Kekere-Ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal on September 22, 2004, serving in various divisions and presiding over two divisions (Makurdi and Aku) in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

She joined the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the fifth female justice and was sworn in on July 8, 2013.

Throughout her career, Justice Kekere-Ekun has attended numerous courses and seminars both within Nigeria and internationally, earning several merit awards. She is a life Bencher and a member of the International Association of Women Judges, where she serves as president.

The judiciary has faced significant challenges since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. With Justice Kekere-Ekun assuming office soon, the succession process in the Supreme Court may be smooth for the first time in five years.

The last few CJNs have had controversial tenures. Justice Walter Onnoghen, who served from March 7, 2017, to January 25, 2019, left under accusations of asset declaration failures.

His successor, Justice Tanko Muhammad, who took office on January 25, 2019, resigned on June 27, 2022, amid allegations of unfair treatment from fellow justices, citing ill health.

The CJN is the head of the judiciary, presiding over the Supreme Court and the NJC. The president nominates the CJN upon the NJC’s recommendation, subject to Senate confirmation.

The CJN holds office until death or retirement at age 70, or can be impeached by the Senate with a supermajority vote.

In the last 15 years, seven CJNs have served, each averaging two years in office. This brief tenure has raised concerns among senior lawyers, who argue that such short terms are insufficient for meaningful judicial reforms.

However, others emphasize that the CJN’s office is regulated by law and is not a political position, suggesting that the judicial system operates under strict rules and cannot be driven by personal agendas.

As Justice Kekere-Ekun prepares to assume office, the expectation is that her leadership will bring stability and continuity to the Supreme Court and the broader Nigerian judiciary.

Hon. Mr. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo KEKERE-EKUN CFR was born on May 7, 1958.

She obtained her LL.B in 1980 from the University of Lagos and LL.M from the London School of Economic and Political Science in November 1983. She was called to the Nigerian Bar on 10th July 1981.

She was appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II, Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989. She was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State in July 1996.

She served as Chairman Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos from November 1996 to May 1999.

She was elevated as a Justice of the Court of Appeal on 22nd September 2004. She served as a member of the Court of Appeal ICT Committee from June 2011 to July 2013.

She has attended numerous courses and seminars within and outside Nigeria, such as Case Management and Court Administration Training Workshop Organized by the National Centre for State Courts in June 2001, ICT Training Course (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) in Dubai UAE in July 2012 and the 34th Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime, Cambridge, UK in September 2016.

She was appointed a Justice of Supreme Court of Nigeria on June 8, 2013.

She has delivered papers at various workshops, seminars and training workshops for magistrates and judges among which are “Delay in Election Tribunal Proceedings: Solutions” delivered at the All Nigerian Judges’’ Conference, Abuja between 16th – 20th November, 2009, “Law: A Tool for Social Change” delivered at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ibadan Branch Law Week on 30th November 2010, and “Stimulation and Sustenance of Economic Development through the Use of ADR Systems in the Judicial Process- Supreme Court Perspective” delivered at the 2015 ALL NIGERIAN JUDGES CONFERENCE, ABUJA on 25th November 2015.

She is a member of some notable clubs and Professional Associations, and has received several merit awards. She enjoys reading, music, information technology and counselling.

She is happily married with children.

News

US to donate 1 mn mpox vaccines to Africa -Biden

The United States plans to donate one million doses of the mpox vaccine to African nations facing an epidemic of the virus, President Joe Biden said Tuesday.

An international emergency was declared by the World Health Organization last month after the surge in cases of a new strain of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to nearby countries.

“We must now move quickly to face (the) mpox outbreak in Africa,” Biden told the UN General Assembly in New York.

“We are ready to commit $500 million to help African countries prevent and respond to mpox and to donate one million doses of mpox vaccine, now.”

Biden called on others to match the pledge and “make this a billion-dollar commitment to the people of Africa.”

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.

It causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions, and can be deadly.

A total of 25,093 suspected mpox cases and 723 deaths were reported across the African continent between January and September 8, according to WHO.

News

Haaland slammed for disrespecting Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta

Football pundit Mark Goldbridge has criticized Manchester City forward Erling Haaland for showing a lack of respect toward Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Goldbridge’s comments followed Manchester City’s dramatic 2-2 draw against a 10-man Arsenal on Sunday.Haaland was involved in a heated exchange with Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, taunting Arteta by saying, “Stay humble, eh, stay humble,” after the intense match at the Etihad Stadium.

The Norwegian striker had already stirred tensions by throwing the ball at Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães’ head after John Stones’ 90+8th-minute equalizer.

On Tuesday, Goldbridge reacted to these incidents, expressing his disapproval.

“Haaland’s lucky I’m not Gabriel; he threw the ball at Gabriel’s head like a coward, then barged into him from the kick-off,” he wrote on X. “Then he’s telling Arteta to be humble? You don’t speak to managers like that.

I hate it when players go after opposition managers—there’s a line of respect.”In the match, Haaland gave City the lead in the 9th minute, but Riccardo Calafiori equalized in the 22nd minute.

Gabriel restored Arsenal’s lead in the 45+1st minute, but the Gunners were reduced to 10 men after Leandro Trossard was sent off in the 45+8th minute. Arsenal held their ground until Stones leveled the score in the 90+8th minute.

News

Carabao Cup: Chelsea, City, United 10 others progress to fourth round

Thirteen out of the 16 available spots in the Carabao Cup fourth round have now been secured, following the conclusion of most third-round fixtures.

The teams that have progressed so far are Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Leicester City, Brentford, Southampton, Stoke City, Crystal Palace, Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton, and Preston.

On Thursday, Arsenal will face Bolton Wanderers at home, while defending champions Liverpool will take on West Ham at Anfield.

The match between Newcastle and AFC Wimbledon has been rescheduled for October 1 at St James’ Park, following flood damage at Plough Lane.

Entertainment

Bobrisky speaks on bribing EFCC with N15 million naira

Screenshot_20240925_084822 - Wave News Nigeria | Latest News | Breaking News

Controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has refuted allegations of bribing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials with N15 million.

The allegations surfaced after popular influencer Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, released a voice recording allegedly featuring Bobrisky claiming to have bribed EFCC officers to drop money laundering charges against him.

In the recording, Bobrisky allegedly stated that the N15 million bribe ensured he avoided prison despite a six-month jail sentence handed down in April 2024 for naira mutilation.

He also purportedly claimed his godfather arranged for him to serve his sentence in a lodge rather than a prison.

However, Bobrisky has strongly denied these claims, calling the recording fake. In an Instagram post, he clarified: “I did not pay any money to the EFCC. It’s all lies. I served my prison term in full.

Please disregard any false information.”

News

UFC fighter, Adesanya dons Enyinba Jersey, places $4,000 on them to beat Lobi Stars

Nigerian UFC fighter Israel Adesanya has placed a $4,000 bet on Enyimba to win their rescheduled matchday three fixture against Lobi Stars.

The match is set to take place at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on Wednesday (today).

Adesanya shared the news on social media, posting a message on X alongside a picture of himself in an Enyimba jersey, stating, “It’s a goal.

“His bet suggests confidence in the nine-time Nigeria Premier Football League champions, with an expected payout of $5,930.

As previously reported by pressmen, Adesanya recently placed a $10,000 bet on Anthony Joshua’s IBF heavyweight bout against Daniel Dubois on Saturday but lost.

News

Trump warned about threat from Iran to assassinate him

Donald Trump was briefed on Tuesday about “real and specific threats” from Iran to assassinate him, according to his campaign.

They claim the Islamic Republic’s efforts to target the former president, now a Republican presidential candidate, are part of a broader attempt to destabilize the United States.

In a press release, Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign communications director, revealed that intelligence officials have observed a surge in coordinated attacks against Trump in recent months.

Cheung also emphasized that law enforcement agencies are actively working to ensure Trump’s safety and maintain the integrity of the upcoming election.

“The Iranian regime thrives on the perceived weakness of Kamala Harris, but fears the strength and determination of President Trump.

He will not be deterred in his fight for the American people and his mission to Make America Great Again,” Cheung stated.