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Tinubu swears in Kekere-Ekun as acting CJN — second female in history

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President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the acting chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Friday at the State House in Abuja.

Kekere-Ekun’s inauguration makes her the second female CJN in the country’s history after Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who was CJN from July 2012 to November 2014.

The acting CJN took her oath of office at about 11:38am and took her allotted seat in the council chambers — on the left of the president — at exactly 11:45am.

Among those who witnessed the event were other justices of the supreme court; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the leadership of the house of representatives led by Julius Ihonbvere; Babajide Sanwoolu, governor of Lagos; and Olukayode Ariwoola, immediate past CJN.

Also present were George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF); Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA); Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president; and Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation.

BACKGROUND

Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom.

Her journey in the legal profession commenced at the University of Lagos where she obtained her first degree in law in 1980.

She was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981.

She was awarded a Master of Law in November 1983 at the London School of Economics.

Kekere-Ekun began her career as a senior magistrate II in the Lagos state judiciary before gaining promotion to the position of state high court judge.

She also served as the chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, from November 1996 to May 1999.

Kekere-Ekun was appointed to the court of appeal in 2004 in recognition of her contributions to the development of the judiciary.

SENATE CONFIRMATION

By constitutional provisions, Kekere-Ekun will occupy the office in an acting capacity, as the next most senior justice of the supreme court.

However, her assumption of the office in a substantive capacity is not automatic.

Section 231(5) of the constitution provides that unless the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommends otherwise, the acting CJN can only occupy the position for three months from the date of his/her appointment.

The senate would have to confirm her in line with section 231(1) of the constitution.

On August 15, the NJC recommended Kekere-Ekun to Tinubu for appointment as CJN.

The recommendation was made during NJC’s 106th meeting presided over by Olukayode Ariwoola, the immediate past CJN.

Ariwoola bowed out of office on August 22, having attained the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Tinubu cut short his “brief work stay” in France to swear in Kekere-Ekun.

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41 dead,12 rescued as boat capsizes in Zamfara

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Forty-one persons have reportedly died in a boat accident that occurred in Gummi town in Gummi LGA of Zamfara state.

The boat, conveying over 50 passengers, capsized shortly after leaving the shore on Saturday.

Twelve passengers were rescued alive, while the remaining 41 drowned.

Suleiman Gummi, the lawmaker representing Gummi-Bukkuyum federal constituency in the house of representatives, commiserated with the families of the victims.

“I received with a rude shock the tragic news of a canoe capsizing accident in Gummi,” the lawmaker said in a statement.

“It’s indeed a very unfortunate and sad incident, but as people of faith, we have to submit to the will of Allah.

“We pray that Allah SWA grants eternal rest to the departed souls, the bereaved families the fortitude to bear this loss, and speedy recovery to the survivors who are traumatised by it.”

The latest boat accident in Zamfara highlights the worrying trend of repeated mishaps in Nigeria’s waterways.

On January 8, about eight people died in a boat accident that occurred in Anambra, while 20 people were killed in another boat mishap in Rivers state.

On January 15, over 100 people went missing in a boat mishap in Niger state.

In April, Junior Pope Odowodo, a Nollywood actor, and two others died during a boat mishap in Anambra state.

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Lagos, Abia, Akwa Ibom get new police commissioners

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The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of four substantive commissioners of police for Lagos, Abia, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom commands.

In a statement on Friday, Ikechukwu Ani, PSC spokesperson, said the appointment is due to the vacancies created by promotion of some senior officers.

The new commissioners of police are
Isah Danladi Nda, for Abia command; Olarewaju Ishola Olawale for Lagos command; Anthonia Adaku Uche Anya fror Ebonyi command and Miller Gajere Dantawaye for Akwa Ibom command

Speaking on the posting, Hashimu Argungu, PSC chair, urged the new police commissioners to make positive impacts in the security management of their respective states.

Argungu asked the new commissioners to build efficient and effective police commands in their states.

The PSC spokesperson disclosed that the approval has been sent to Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police, for implementation.

By this development, Dantawaye will replace Waheed Ayilara, the former commissioner of police in Akwa Ibom state, who died on August 29, 2024.

Ayilara reportedly died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) from prostate cancer complications.

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FG declares September 16 public holiday for Eid-ul-Maulud celebration

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The federal government has declared September 16 as a public holiday to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Maulud celebration.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, announced the holiday on Friday in a statement by Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary of the ministry.

The Eid-ul-Maulud celebration is in commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Tunji-Ojo congratulated all Muslims in the country and in the diaspora for witnessing this year’s occasion.

The minister, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion, urged them to seize the opportunity to pray for lasting peace and a more equitable and prosperous nation.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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