Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, acting chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), will swear in 87 lawyers to the rank of senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on Monday.

The elevation of the lawyers was approved at the 164th plenary session of a committee chaired by Olukayode Ariwoola, former chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), in August.

In a statement on Thursday, Festus Akande, spokesperson of the supreme court, said the swearing-in ceremony will be held at the apex court’s complex by 10 am.

Although the supreme court 2024/2025 legal year officially commenced on September 23, a ceremony to mark the opening will be held on Monday.

“The acting chief justice of Nigeria, Hon. justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, CFR will swear-in 87 new senior advocates of Nigeria on Monday, 30th September, 2024, at the main courtroom of the supreme court, as part of the programmes lined up to formally herald the 2024/2025 legal year of the court,” the statement reads.

“In line with our age-long tradition, during the special court session, the chief justice of Nigeria, will deliver a state-of-the Judiciary address, with a view to highlighting the performance of the supreme court in particular, and the Nigerian judiciary in general, in the 2023/2024 legal year.

“In the same vein, other leading stakeholders in the justice sector will present speeches bordering on the state of the justice sector of the country. These include: Hon. attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), amongst others.

“It will be recalled that the Supreme Court commenced its annual vacation on Monday, 22nd July, 2024. Though the Court had started sitting since Monday, 23rd September, 2024, the new legal year ceremony is now being formally held in accordance with our tradition.

“All the programmes outlined to mark the formal commencement of the new legal year will start at 10:00am in the main Courtroom of the Supreme Court.”

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has warned Nigerians against increasing fake recruitment activities carried out by fraudsters.

In a statement on Wednesday, the NIS said all its recruitment exercises are conducted in a transparent, free and merit-based manner.

It said the vacancies are advertised through the NIS website, official government channels and recognised national newspapers.

”The NIS is working closely with relevant authorities to apprehend those involved in these fraudulent activities and bring them to justice,“ the statement reads.

”The Service remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in all its operations.

”Consequently, the Comptroller General urges the general public to remain vigilant and refrain from using fraudulent recruitment schemes.

”Anyone who receives unsolicited messages or is approached by individuals claiming to represent the NIS on recruitment matters should report to the Nigeria Immigration Service through the following official channels: Official Website: www.immigration.gov.ng; X: @nigimmigration; Instagram: @nigimmigration; Facebook: @nigimmigration; Contact Center number: 09121900655, 09121556359, 09121477092.”

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the most senior justice of the supreme court, has been confirmed as the substantive chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Kekere-Ekun, the 23rd CJN, was confirmed on Wednesday after fielding questions from senators for more than two hours. She has held the office since August in acting capacity.

During the confirmation hearing, the CJN answered questions on the reforms she hopes to introduce as the head of the judicial arm of government.

She said should would encourage the use of virtual proceedings and alternate dispute resolution (ADR) system to decongest the correctional facilities across the country.

“I will ensure that the courts are digitised. It will make it easier in tracking cases and judges could be called to order if they are not treating their cases expeditiously,” Kekere-Ekun said.

“Especially in criminal matters where you have delays, we will use virtual hearing. It is something I will encourage so that criminal matters will be disposed expeditiously.

“I will employ the use of ADR to decongest matters in the courts. In the courts, there is always a victor and vanquished, but in ADR all the parties will go home satisfied.

“We are exploring ways to ensure that prison decongestion is frequently carried out.

“Virtual hearings will help fast track cases, the failure to produce defendants is usually the delay in criminal cases.”

Thereafter, Opeyemi Bamidele, majority leader of the senate, said there was no petition against the nomination of Kekere-Ekun as the substantive CJN.

Kekere-Ekun was confirmed after her nomination was put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.