VICE CHAIRMAN – BODY OF BENCHERS

Honourable Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, Chief Justice of Nigeria, was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom, to the family of Senator Hassan Adisa Babatunde Fasinro, OFR, LL.D., a renowned legal practitioner, politician, author, and devout Muslim, and Chief Mrs. Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu (née Savage), a distinguished public health practitioner and current head of the prominent Savage Family of Lagos.

Her educational journey began at St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi, Lagos, and later Corona School, Ikoyi, from where she gained admission into the prestigious Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos, for her secondary education. She obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the University of Lagos in 1980 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. In pursuit of advanced legal studies, she proceeded to the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London, where she earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in 1983.

Following a period in private legal practice as an Associate with M.O. Oseni & Co. between 1985 and 1989, Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun commenced her judicial career as a Magistrate Grade II in the Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989. Through dedication, diligence, and professional excellence, she rose to the rank of Chief Magistrate Grade II in 1993. In July 1996, she was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State, where she distinguished herself through her commitment to judicial innovation and reform.

As a Judge of the High Court, she played a pivotal role in the committee that piloted the amendment of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules in 2004. This landmark reform introduced front-loading procedures, pre-trial conferences, witness statements on oath, and the application of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms aimed at expediting the administration of justice. These groundbreaking innovations have since been adopted across several jurisdictions in Nigeria. She also served as a member of the Steering Committee of the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse, where she championed court-connected ADR, now an integral component of Nigeria’s justice delivery system.

In September 2004, Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal. During her distinguished tenure, she served in the Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Makurdi, and Akure Divisions of the Court and was the pioneer Presiding Justice of the Makurdi Division. Her service at the appellate court was marked by several notable decisions that enriched Nigerian jurisprudence.

On July 8, 2013, she was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the fifth female Justice of the apex court. At the Supreme Court, she contributed significantly to the development of constitutional law, electoral jurisprudence, human rights, and other critical areas of Nigerian law through several landmark judgments and legal precedents.

Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun is widely respected for her advocacy for gender equality and judicial excellence. She is a member of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) and currently serves as President of the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria (NAWJN). She is also a Life Bencher and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), the National Judicial Institute (NJI), and the International Dispute Resolution Institute (IDRI).

Prior to her appointment as Chief Justice of Nigeria, she served as Deputy Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and chaired several NJC and NJI committees. She played an instrumental role in judicial appointments, promotions, policy formulation, and the overall administration of justice in Nigeria. Her leadership responsibilities also extended to the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, the body charged with the conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

In recognition of her exceptional service to the nation and the legal profession, Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun has received numerous honours and awards. She was conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) in October 2022 and was subsequently elevated to the prestigious rank of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). She has also received several distinguished awards from professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum and the Lagos State Judiciary.

On August 23, 2024, Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun was sworn in as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and was subsequently confirmed and sworn in as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria on September 30, 2024. As the nation’s highest judicial officer, she continues to provide visionary leadership for the Nigerian Judiciary, advancing reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law, enhancing judicial efficiency, and promoting public confidence in the administration of justice.

Beyond her distinguished professional accomplishments, Honourable Justice Kekere-Ekun is a well-rounded individual with a keen interest in Information Technology. She enjoys music, travelling, and reading novels. She is happily married to Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR, and is a proud mother whose children are excelling in their respective fields.

Her remarkable career, unwavering integrity, and commitment to justice have established her as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished jurists and an enduring inspiration to future generations of legal practitioners and judicial officers.