Justice Olukayode Ariwoola

The National Judicial Council (NJC) will meet on Friday, August 16, to determine the successor to Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Justice Ariwoola is expected to retire on August 22, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

A reliable source within the Supreme Court informed journalists on Tuesday that the NJC has arranged a meeting for Friday to discuss the appointment of the next Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The official, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak with the media, indicated that any names proposed during the NJC meeting would be submitted to President Bola Tinubu for his consideration.

“The NJC has fixed Friday to meet to decide on the name to be forwarded to the President on who the next CJN would be. No name has been sent to the President yet as the NJC has not even met,” the source told PUNCH.

The Supreme Court is currently composed of a full panel of 21 Justices.

In accordance with the longstanding tradition of the highest court, it is anticipated that the next most senior Justice will assume the role.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun holds the position of the most senior Justice on the Supreme Court bench and is the most probable candidate for succession.

Justice Ariwoola is set to retire from his role as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on August 22, 2024, upon reaching the compulsory retirement age of 70.

The Supreme Court has scheduled a valedictory session on the same date to honor him for his contributions to the nation.

Justice Ariwoola, hailing from Oyo State, was appointed as CJN on October 12, 2022, succeeding Justice Tanko Mohammed from Bauchi State.

According to Section 231 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, Justice Ariwoola’s retirement will pave the way for the appointment of a new CJN, with the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court taking over the position.

This indicates that the responsibility will automatically transfer to Justice Kekere-Ekun, who is the next most senior Justice on the Supreme Court bench.

A source within the Supreme Court had previously informed The PUNCH that Justice Kekere-Ekun’s ascension to the role of the next CJN is “very certain.”

“This one is very certain. You know normally they will send three names but it is always the most senior and even the most senior is already warming up to take over,” the source said.

Upon her confirmation as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kekere-Ekun will make history as the second woman to hold this esteemed position, following Justice Aloma Mukhtar, who served from July 2012 to November 2014.

If confirmed, the 66-year-old Justice Kekere-Ekun will lead the judiciary for a term of four years, concluding in 2028 when she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.

A distinguished life bencher, Justice Kekere-Ekun began her professional journey in private legal practice from 1985 until 1989, after which she was appointed as a Senior Magistrate Grade II within the Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989.

On July 19, 1996, she ascended to the position of judge of the High Court of Lagos State. From November 1996 to May 1999, she served as the Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos.

Her elevation to the Court of Appeal occurred on September 22, 2004, where she contributed to various divisions of the court and presided over two divisions (Makurdi and Aku) in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Justice Kekere-Ekun was appointed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria as its fifth female Justice, taking her oath of office on Monday, July 8, 2023.