Kudirat Kekere-Ekun Biography, Education, Career, Controversies, And Net Worth

Maria Olanrewaju | August 22, 2024 | Find It | No Comments

Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom, is a distinguished Nigerian jurist currently serving as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. She was appointed to this prestigious position on August 22, 2024, following the retirement of Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. Kekere-Ekun has had a remarkable career in the Nigerian judiciary, culminating in her becoming the second female Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Kekere-Ekun Profile

Name	Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun
Real Name	Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo
Date of Birth	7 May 1958
Age	66 years
State of Origin	Lagos State
Tribe	Yoruba
Nationality	Nigerian
Occupation	Chief Justice of Nigeria
Religion	Islam
Marital Status	Married
Net Worth	$800,000
Copied from	contents101.com

Educational Background

Kekere-Ekun’s educational journey began at the University of Lagos, where she earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree in 1980. She was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981, after completing her studies at the Nigerian Law School. She furthered her education at the London School of Economics, obtaining a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in November 1983.

Career

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun began her legal career in the Lagos State Judiciary, starting as a Senior Magistrate II before ascending to the position of High Court Judge in Lagos State. Between November 1996 and May 1999, she served as the Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja.

In 2004, she was appointed as a Judge on the Court of Appeal, where she served in various divisions, including as the presiding Justice in Makurdi and Aku divisions in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Her career reached new heights when she was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July 2013, where she has been a key figure in several landmark decisions. Her judicial excellence led to her appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2024.

Controversies

One of the most notable controversies in Justice Kekere-Ekun’s career was her involvement in the 2020 Supreme Court decision that annulled the election of Emeka Ihedioha as the governor of Imo State, declaring Hope Uzodinma as the rightful winner. The ruling was met with significant criticism, with some describing it as unjust and not reflective of the actual voting outcome. However, Ihedioha chose to respect the court’s decision despite his reservations.

A recent controversy surrounding Kudirat Kekere-Ekun stems from her recent appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria in August 2024. As only the second woman to hold this prestigious position, her elevation has sparked debates within legal and political circles. While many have praised her appointment as a significant step forward for gender representation in Nigeria’s judiciary, others have questioned the timing and process of her selection.

Kekere-Ekun Social Media Handle

As a prominent judicial figure, Justice Kekere-Ekun maintains a low profile online and does not have publicly known social media accounts.

Personal Life

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is known for her dedication to the legal profession and her commitment to upholding the law. She is a life Bencher and an active member of the International Association of Women Judges, where she has also served as President. Details about her personal life remain largely private, in line with her non-partisan and reserved public persona.