The National Judicial Council (NJC) Thursday recommended Justice Kudirat Adetokunbo Motonmori Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
The council also recommended 28 candidates for appointment as judges of state courts and a candidate for appointment as Khadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja, to various state governors.
The recommendation was made by NJC at its 106th meeting of August 14 and 15 presided over by the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
The NJC’s decision is coming at a time the tenure of incumbent CJN, Justice Ariwoola’s tenure as the Chief Justice of Nigeria is coming to an end, having attained the mandatory retirement age.
Thursday August , 22, 2024 has been slated as the date the latter will bow out.
If approved by President Tinubu, Justice Kekere-Ekun would be the second female CJN coming after Justice Mouktar Aloma as the first female CJN.
A statement by the NJC director of Information, Mr Soji Oye and made public Thursday in Abuja contained the recommendations.
At the meeting, 6 candidates were recommended to Kwara state governor for appointment as judges of the High Court.
They are Olawoyin Ibijoke Olabisi, Abdulrazaq Fatimah Funsho, Folorunsho Oba Muritala, Dikko Yusuf Adebayo, Adeniyi Oluwatosin Adenike and Osuolale-Ajayi Temitope Olalekan.
Rivers state has 8 candidates for appointments into its high court and they are Onyiri Frank, Ugoji Victor Chinedum, Obomanu Godswill Vidal, Oguguo Rita Chituru, Fubara Alatuwo Elkanah, Kokpan Bariyima Sylvester, Obu Ibietela Innocent Madighi and Wifa-Adedipe Lesi.
The six nominees from Ondo state are: Daomi Williams Adebisi, Fabuluje Adewumi William, Ogunwumiju Mobayonle Idowu, Demehin-Ogunbayo Inumidun Happiness, Kpemi Ojufisintei Justinah and Adegoroye Olufunke Adeola.
Benue judiciary recommended four candidates as judges and they are:
Kor Vincent Tersoo, Ikwulono Maigida Maimuna, Adagba Nguhemen Julie and Tor Damian Tersugh.
The council forwarded two nominees for appointment as judges of Benue state Customary Court of Appeal and they are Onche Ogah Inalegwu and Igba Theophilus Terhile.
NJC nominated one candidate for Kaduna state high court and he is Zubairu, Murtala Ja’afaru.