Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called for concerted effort to improve the reputation of the judiciary.
Kekere-Ekun was sworn in as the acting CJN at the State House in Abuja on Friday, by President Bola Tinubu.
The acting CJN becomes the second female in Nigeria’s history to occupy the office, after Aloma Mariam Mukhtar who occupied the position from July 2012 to November 2014.
Speaking after the ceremony, Kekere-Ekun said she will ensure that Nigerians have more confidence in the judiciary system during her tenure.
“Well, my expectation is that we will take the judiciary to higher heights. The reputation that it has, we will improve it. We will make sure that people have more confidence in the judiciary,” she said.
“I believe that it’s not a one man job, we all have to be on board. And because we all see where the areas are that need improvement, I believe that there will be cooperation, because we all want to see a better judiciary.
“A better judiciary is for the benefit of the entire nation. Whatever the shortcomings that we see today, we’re all members of the society. So if you want to see improvement, let the improvement start with each and every one of us and our approach to justice. Let us also have faith in the system.”
She said special attention would be paid to the appointment and discipline of judicial officials.
“We’ll also be more particular about the process of appointment. I know it gives a lot of concern. Discipline on the bench and at the bar as well,” she added.
“All these things are aspects that we will look into and I believe that, by the grace of God, at the end of my tenure, we will have a judiciary we can all be proud of.”
