President Bola Tinubu will cut his short visit to France and return to Abuja to swear in the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun on Friday.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said: “President Tinubu will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on August 23, 2024.”
Tinubu left Abuja for France on Monday, August 19, 2024, on what Ngelale described as a “short” visit. He didn’t state the specific nature of the visit nor the duration.
Special Adviser to the President on Communications and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, expatiated on the President’s trip, disclosing that Tinubu flew to Paris using the new Airbus A330, bought to replace the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) acquired during the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidency.
When she is sworn in, Justice Kekere-Ekun will be making history as the second female Justice to occupy the exalted office. She will become the 23 CJN.
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola retired as Chief Justice of Nigeria on Thursday, August 22, 2024, having attained the mandatory age of 70, and after a glorious public service career.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, Thursday, congratulated Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on his retirement as CJN.
Justice Ariwoola had served as Justice of the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos divisions before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.
He was sworn in as Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2022 and had also served the nation in diverse capacities as a judicial officer.
Ajuri Ngelale, said: “President Tinubu commends the eminent jurist for his services to the nation, noting his impactful leadership of the judiciary and his efforts in enriching Nigerian jurisprudence, as well as in strengthening the fibre of the law.
“The President thanks Justice Ariwoola and wishes him the very best for the future.”