Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the most senior justice of the Supreme Court, has been officially confirmed as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
As the 23rd individual to hold this position, Kekere-Ekun was confirmed on Wednesday after responding to questions from senators for over two hours. She has been serving in an acting capacity since August.
During her confirmation hearing, Kekere-Ekun outlined the reforms she plans to implement as the head of the judiciary.
She expressed her intention to promote virtual proceedings and an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system to alleviate crowding in correctional facilities nationwide.
“I will ensure that our courts are digitized, which will facilitate the tracking of cases and hold judges accountable for expediting their decisions,” Kekere-Ekun stated.
“Particularly in criminal cases, where delays are common, I will advocate for virtual hearings to ensure swift resolutions.”
She emphasized the importance of ADR in easing courtroom congestion, noting, “In traditional court settings, there is always a victor and a vanquished, but with ADR, all parties can leave satisfied.”
Kekere-Ekun also mentioned efforts to regularly address prison overcrowding. “Virtual hearings can expedite case processing, as delays in producing defendants often hinder criminal proceedings.”
Following the confirmation session, Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate majority leader, confirmed that there were no petitions against Kekere-Ekun’s nomination.
Her confirmation was finalized following a voice vote called by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
