On swearing in the ne Chief Justice of  Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu charged her thus, ‘Be faithful and loyal to the constitution’.

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Full Speech

1. I warmly welcome you all to this momentous ceremony to witness a sacred and significant event in the life of our nation: the swearing-in of a distinguished jurist, the Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, CFR, as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

2. She comes in following the retirement of another illustrious jurist, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, who bowed out gracefully after long years of service to our country. Our country owes Honourable Justice Ariwoola a debt of gratitude for his outstanding contributions to the administration of justice.

3. Nigeria’s acting Chief Justice, Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, comes to this position with an admirable family and professional pedigree. Over the years, she established a respectable and incorruptible reputation within the bar and the bench, which has served the course of justice.

4. Her meteoric rise from the Magistracy to Justice of the Supreme Court is a testament to her exceptional talent, hard work, unblemished record, strong work ethic, and dedication to her calling as a priest in the temple of justice. Her sterling contributions to the growth of the Nigerian judiciary and our legal system have been remarkable. We are inspired by her unwavering commitment to higher ideals of upholding the principles of justice and fairness.

5. Justice Kekere-Ekun is a brilliant lawyer who was called to the bar in 1981. She is now a trailblazer, becoming the second woman to hold this esteemed position after Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, GCON, who served as the CJN from 16 July 2012 to 20 November 2014. Justice Kekere-Ekun’s ascension to this position is a beacon of hope for young women who aspire to break the glass ceiling and make a meaningful impact on our society.

6. The Nigerian Supreme Court has come a long way since it was empowered by the 1963 Republican Constitution to take over from the then Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the highest court in our judicial hierarchy.

7. Since then, it has played a critical role in the evolution of our country, resolving complex legal conflicts, even under the military and shaping public policies that impact all segments of Nigerian society.

8. Late Justice Thurgood Marshall, the American civil rights lawyer and first African American justice of the US Supreme Court, once said:  “The Constitution is not a static document, but rather a living instrument that must be adapted to the changing needs of society.”

9. Following this entrenched tradition of the apex court, our Supreme Court, under our constitutional democracy, also recently interpreted the 1999 Constitution regarding the financial autonomy of the 774 local councils. To quote Marshall again: “It is, emphatically, the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is.”

10. We expect the apex court to continue to play a critical role in the evolution of our constitutional democracy and shape public policies that impact all segments of Nigerian society.

11. I want to assure you that my administration will continue to provide appropriate support to improve the welfare and capacity of the judiciary, ease the administration of justice, and promote the rule of law in Nigeria. This consideration informed the expedited passage by the National Assembly and my consent to the Judicial Office Holders Act, 2024, which approved a 300% increase in the remuneration of judicial officers. This came on the heels of the appointment of 11 Justices of the Supreme Court in December 2023, which enabled the Supreme Court to attain its full complement of 21 Justices for the first time in decades.

12. Let me also reassure you that the judiciary under this administration will continue to receive prompt and adequate attention in recognising its status as a driver of social order, rule of law, peace, security, and economic development.

13. Undoubtedly, the position of the Chief Justice of Nigeria comes with enormous responsibilities. As the head of all judicial institutions in the country, it is a position of considerable influence that demands temperance and sobriety. The occupant of the office must exude the highest level of integrity in the discharge of duties. This is more so because of the finality of the Supreme Court’s judgment.

14. I therefore urge your lordship to be faithful and loyal to the Constitution when discharging your duties as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria. I also encourage you to defend the judiciary’s independence, always promote the course of justice, strengthen mechanisms for integrity, discipline, and transparency in the judicial sector, and pursue other reforms or initiatives to sustain public confidence in the judiciary.

15. Thank you for joining us today as we mark this historic occasion. May this moment inspire us all to strive for excellence in pursuing a prosperous nation where justice will always reign.

The Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated governors Hope Uzodimma and Ahmed Ododo of Imo and Kogi States respectively on their victories at the Supreme Court.

Biztellers reports that the Supreme Court of Nigeria (SCN),  sitting in Abuja, on Friday upheld the victories of both governors in Nigeria’s November 11, 2023 elections.

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The APC took to its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, to celebrate.

It wrote, “Congratulations to the Governor of Imo State, HE. Hope Uzodinma and the Governor of Kogi State, HE. Ahmed Usman Ododo, on the judgements of the Supreme Court, affirming their victories at the November 11, 2023, governorship election in the respective states.”

The Management of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), has received an additional N50 billion from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This was disclosed in a statement in Abuja, on Friday by the Director, Corporate Communications, NELFUND, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi.

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According to Oluwatuyi, the release follows the directive of President Bola Tinubu in his speech on 4th August, 2024, directing the EFCC to transfer the funds to NELFUND to further boost the student loan program.

This significant injection of funds represents a major milestone in the Administration’s commitment to bolstering access to education by providing financial support to students across Nigeria.

The fund extends its deepest appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering dedication to the education sector and his continued efforts to support the most vulnerable segments of the population.

By deciding to allocate these funds to the student loan scheme, President Tinubu has once again demonstrated his visionary leadership and commitment to fostering a brighter future for Nigerian students and to the socioeconomic advancement of Nigeria.

She added that the NELFUND wishes to acknowledge and thank the EFCC under the leadership of its Executive Chairman, Ola Olukayode for their swift action ensuring the release of the funds.

Their diligent work has ensured that these resources has been promptly made available to benefit the education of our nation’s youth.

She noted that President Tinubu’s decision to direct these funds into NELFUND’s student loan scheme underscores the administration’s broader social intervention policy aimed at uplifting the most populous, yet disadvantaged segment of Nigerian society, the youth.

This infusion of funds will significantly boost the NELFUND’s ability to provide much-needed financial support to students, enabling them to pursue their academic aspirations without financial hindrance.

The NELFUND remains committed to utilizing these funds equitably, responsibly and efficiently, ensuring that they directly benefit those who need them the most and have already sought a partnership with EFCC to oversee the disbursement process.

With the support of the government and the EFCC, NELFUND will continue to drive forward the mission of expanding access to tertiary education for all aspiring Nigerian youth and increasing the employability of well educated graduates in both the academic and vocational sectors, Oluwatuyi stated.