By Kingsley Okoye
The Senate on Wednesday at plenary confirmed the appointment of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun,as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
The confirmation followed her successful screening at the Committee of the Whole.
Leader of Senate,Sen.Bamidele Opeyemi (APC-Ekiti) said the conduct of the screening and confirmation of appointment of a CJN was in accordance with section 231 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended .
He said reports before the Senate on the nominee indicates a positive clearance from the security agencies, saying that there was no petition against her nomination,confirmation for appointment as CJN.
Senate consequently after her response to the questions confirmed her appointment as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.
President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio congratulated the new CJN on her confirmation and urged her to live up to her words in the delivery of justice to Nigerians.
Earlier, Kekere-Ekun while responding to questions said she had initiated several reforms as Magistrate and Court of Appeal Judge especially on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
She pledged to uphold the integrity of the judiciary,rule of law and defend the rights of Nigerians,if confirmed by the Senate as Chief Justice of Nigeria.
To ensure the integrity of judicial officers, she pledged to ensure full compliance of code of conduct by judicial officers with zero tolerance for corruption.
On independence of the judiciary,she said the process of appointment of judicial officers would be transparently followed.
This,she said would give confidence to citizens, saying that she would work with National Assembly to have laws that would further enhance judicial
Independence.
On issues of myriad of cases at the Supreme Court, she said there was need to limit the number of cases that gets to the supreme court, saying that the supreme court was designed to be a court of law and court of policy that makes pronouncements on matters of national significance.
Kekere-Ekun said she was of the view that pre- election matters should terminate at the Court of Appeal, saying that efforts should be made further to strength the structures of government.
This, she said would further give confidence to citizens and discourage them from seeking unnecessary litigations.
On judicial officers giving conflicting judgements,she said the matter would be seriously tackled in line with the hierarchy of courts, saying that Judicial officers should adhere to lay down procedures of court processes.
She said she would commit to serving the citizens fairly and transparently.
She also pledged her commitment to leverage on technology to tackle inefficiency via digitalisation of court processes for speedy dispensation of justice to Nigerians.
Kekere-Ekun said, if confirmed, she would ensure that both the bar and the bench were up and doing in dispensation of justice to all Nigerians.(NAN)
