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Tinubu’s Charge To New CJN – Full Speech
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.
As part of efforts to curb kidnapping in Edo State, the State Government, security operatives stormed a major hideout used by kidnapper in Esan North-East Local Government Area, Edo Central Senatorial District.
The action was led by the Task Force against Kidnapping, according to a government house statement in Benin City transpired on Friday.
It was gathered that the Task Force during the operation cleared abandoned structures and thick bushes along the Uzea-Itakpe railway corridor in used by kidnappers.
It added that the exercise was aimed at eliminating criminal hideouts, with a view to improving visibility for enhanced security surveillance.
ALSO READ: Woman Jumps Into Lagos Lagoon, Recovered Dead
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Akhere Paul described the area as a notorious transit point for kidnappers operating along the railway axis, Esan forests, and parts of Etsako West.
He explained that criminals used the abandoned structures as temporary holding camps for their victims before relocating them.
“If they kidnap people here, they bring them to this hideout, rest, and then move them to other locations, including Itakpe in Kogi State and Ama Community in Etsako West. This area has been a hotspot for kidnappings, affecting both the wealthy and poor, including farmers who use this route. As a government, we will not rest until kidnapping is eradicated in Edo State,” he stated.
The Commander of the Task Force, SP Michael Anetor, emphasized that intelligence reports and recent arrests informed the demolition exercise.
“The DPO covering this area and the local government authorities have investigated, and our findings confirm that this location is a strategic point for kidnappers. They ambush victims, and if moving them immediately is not feasible, they hold them here before proceeding. These abandoned houses and dense trees serve as their operational base,” Anetor explained.
He further assured residents that security agencies would sustain their crackdown on criminal elements to restore safety in the area.
Citing some residents who preferred to remain anonymous, the statement added that the abandoned structures and overgrown vegetation had long served as hideouts for criminals, allowing them to monitor potential victims before launching attacks.
Tragedy struck on Thursday as an unidentified woman plunged into the Lagos Lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge near the University of Lagos (UNILAG) waterfront.
Despite prompt efforts by marine police officers stationed nearby, she was recovered lifeless.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred around 4 p.m., prompting an immediate response from the marine police unit.
READ ALSO: Dismissed Edo Policewoman Threatens Suicide With Children
However, despite their swift intervention, the woman was confirmed dead by UNILAG medical personnel upon arrival.
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police Command spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin provided details of the recovery operation.
“Today, March 13, 2025, at about 1600 hours, an unidentified woman reportedly jumped from the Third Mainland Bridge into the water near the UNILAG waterfront at approximately 1500 hours.
“She was recovered at the University of Lagos shore slipway by a team of marine police officers stationed in the area. Despite their efforts, she was confirmed dead by a team of UNILAG medical doctors in the presence of officers from the Sabo Police Division.”
He further disclosed that the body had been moved to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) Mortuary in Yaba for preservation.
Although the motive behind the incident remains unclear, some witnesses suspected suicide. The authorities have yet to establish any conclusive reasons for the tragic act.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has articulated the rationale behind his administration’s economic reforms, saying the primary motive was protecting the interests of future generations.
This view was shared in a statehouse statement on Thursday, in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President, (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga.
He declared thus, “For 50 years, Nigeria was spending money of generations yet unborn and servicing the West coast of our subregion with fuel. It was getting difficult to plan for our children’s future.”
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President Tinubu was receiving a delegation of former National Assembly colleagues from the aborted Third Republic, during which he served as a Senator representing Lagos West, when he bared his mind.
He highlighted the challenges faced at the beginning of his administration, especially economic and social issues, and expressed his gratitude for the delegation’s support in addressing these difficulties:
“We faced serious headwinds when I took over, very challenging times. Nigeria would have been bankrupt if we had not taken the actions that we took, and we had to prevent the economy’s collapse,” he added.
President Tinubu made it clear that the administration had been able to stem the tide and expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their collective support in turning things around.
“Today, we are sitting pretty on a good foundation. We have reversed the problem; the Exchange rate is stabilising. Food prices are coming down, especially during Ramadan. We will have light at the end of the tunnel.”
He said firm adherence to democratic tenets is the best route to economic, social, and political development.
“I am happy that you are holding to your belief in democracy. I thank you for keeping faith and remembering how we started. Some people missed the ball.
“Some leadership failed, but we kept the faith with our democratic beliefs and freedom and the right to aspire to the highest office in the land. I am benefitting from it.”
Senator Emmanuel Chiedoziem Nwaka, who spoke on behalf of the group, expressed his delight at some of the programmes that the Tinubu administration had implemented, especially the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and at what the two organisations were offering Nigerians.
“I appreciate you for what you are giving to students because the student population is the largest demographic in the country. I’ve spoken with many of them, and many have benefited from it.
“And the next one is the CREDICORP. That’s a major way of fighting corruption. You see a young man, you come out of school, you want to buy a car, you have to put down cash, you want to buy a house, and you are not married, but with the CREDICORP, you can get things done. I’m following their activities; we are delighted,” he said.
Other members of the delegation were Sen. Bako Aufara Musa, Hon. Terwase Orbunde, Hon. Wasiu Logun, Hon. Amina Aliyu, High Chief Obi Anoliefo and Hon. Eze Nwauwa.
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Woman Jumps Into Lagos Lagoon, Recovered Dead
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