Tinubu made the call as he administered oath of office on Justice Kekere-Ekun as the acting CJN, pending her confirmation by the Senate.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday urged the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to exude the highest level of integrity in the discharge of her duties.
Tinubu made the call as he administered oath of office on Justice Kekere-Ekun as the acting CJN, pending her confirmation by the Senate.
The swearing-in of the 23rd CJN and the second female justice to hold the office took place at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja.
In his remarks, President Tinubu urged the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria to defend the independence of the judiciary and promote the cause of justice.
According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President emphasized the importance of strengthening mechanisms that will uphold and enhance integrity, discipline, and transparency in the judiciary.
He said, “Undoubtedly, the position of the Chief Justice of Nigeria comes with enormous responsibilities as the head of all judicial institutions in the country. It is a position of considerable influence that demands temperance and sobriety.
“The occupant of the office must exude the highest level of integrity in the discharge of their duties. This is more so because of the finality of the Supreme Court's judgments.
''I, therefore, urge your Lordship to be faithful and loyal to the Constitution when discharging your duty as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.”
“I also encourage you to defend the judiciary's independence and always promote the cause of justice. It is vital that you strengthen all mechanisms for integrity, discipline, and transparency in the judicial sector, and pursue other reforms or initiatives to sustain and build public confidence in the judiciary,'' the President stated.
President Tinubu also lauded the contributions of Justice Kekere-Ekun to the judiciary, noting that she is coming to the position with an admirable family and professional pedigree.
“Justice Kekere-Ekun is a brilliant lawyer who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. She’s now a trailblazer becoming the second woman to hold this esteemed position after Honourable Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, GCON,” the President said.
Meanwhile, according to a document obtained by Daily Independent in 2023, signed by Jay M. Sorensen, the American Consular Officer in Abuja, U.S. authorities denied Justice Kekere-Ekun’s visa application, stating that the denial was due to “sanctioned activities.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun was part of the seven-member Supreme Court panel, headed by former Chief Justice Ibrahim Muhammad Tanko, that overturned Emeka Ihedioha's election victory as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.
The court declared Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the legitimate winner.
In its ruling, the court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw Ihedioha's certificate of return and issue it to Uzodimma instead.
Consequently, Uzodimma was inaugurated as the sixth governor of Imo State on January 15, 2020.