President Tinubu to Cut France Visit Short to Swear in New Acting CJN

President Bola Tinubu will truncate his visit to France to oversee the swearing-in of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Friday. Sources indicate that Tinubu is scheduled to return to Nigeria on Thursday night for the ceremony, which will be held at the Council Chambers in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu had traveled to France earlier this week, with his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, describing the trip as a “brief work stay.” However, the president has decided to return ahead of schedule to preside over Kekere-Ekun’s oath-taking.

The move follows the retirement of Olukayode Ariwoola as CJN on Thursday, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 70. A valedictory ceremony was held in his honor at the Supreme Court complex.

On August 15, the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun as Ariwoola’s successor. Under the constitution, Kekere-Ekun, as the next most senior justice, will assume the role of acting CJN. This appointment, however, requires formal action from the president.

According to Section 231(4) of the Nigerian Constitution, the president must appoint an acting CJN to fulfill the role until a substantive CJN is appointed. This follows precedent set by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who appointed Ariwoola as acting CJN in June 2022, and Ibrahim Muhammad in January 2019.

Section 231(5) stipulates that an acting CJN’s tenure is limited to three months unless otherwise advised by the NJC, and reappointment beyond this period is not permitted.