News
Tinubu to Swear-in Kekere-Ekun as New CJN, Tomorrow, Lauds Ariwoola
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on his retirement as the Chief Justice of Nigeria after a successful public service career.
President Tinubu will also swear in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun on Friday, as Nigeria’s second female Chief Justice.
In a State House press release, Thursday, Chief Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), said on President Tinubu commended 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,” he added.
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.
President Tinubu will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on August 23, 2024.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s appointment would mark a historic moment, following Justice Aloma Mukhtar, who was Nigeria’s first female Chief Justice from July 2012 to November 2014.
Background check on Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun shows that (born in 1958) she has been a Supreme Court judge since 2013.
The 66-year-old Kekere-Ekun is likely to succeed Ariwoola as the oldest Supreme Court judge.
The constitution mandates that the president sends the name of the most senior Supreme Court judge to the Senate for confirmation as CJN when the incumbent retires.
Kekere-Ekun is currently the most one so there is an expectation that President Bola Tinubu will nominate her for the post.
Kereke-Ekun has slowly climbed the country’s judicial ladder after being called the Nigerian Bar in 1981.
She started as a Senior Magistrate Grade II, in the Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989 and gradually rose to become a High Court judge in July 1996.
She was then promoted to the Court of Appeal on 22 September 2004, and served as a member of its ICT Committee in 2011-2013, before being made a Supreme Court judge where she has been since.
A four-storey building has collapsed in Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos, with occupants trapped, and some feared dead.
Panic gripped residents when the uncompleted building suddenly collapsed on Saturday.
The building houses the popular Equal Right Restaurant.
The incident happened at about 11a.m., today.
As of press time, men of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, as well as the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, who had been contacted have arrived at the scene.
See photos below:
An unspecific number of people are believed to be trapped under an uncompleted storey building which collapsed in Lagos.
The building housing Equal Rights restaurant located at Oremeta Street, Ojodu Lagos, went down on Saturday morning.
It is believed, however, that some people are still trapped underneath the rubble.
Details later….
Edo State Police Command says it has rescued 10 University of Benin, UNIBEN, students abducted by suspected kidnappers at Ofosu area along the Benin-Ore expressway.
It was gathered that the students were on their way to Babcock University for Annual GYC Africa Conference when they were kidnapped on April 16 at the community bordering Edo and Ondo States.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Moses Yamu disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.
Yamu said the rescued students are eight males and two females.
He said during the rescue operation, one of the suspected kidnappers was killed, while other escaped with bullet wounds.
He also disclosed that one of the Police officers, an Inspector sustained gunshot injury and is currently responding to treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
The statement read: “The Command wishes to update the general public of the unfortunate kidnap of some students who were on their way to Babcock University for Annual GYC Africa Conference on 16/04/2025 at a location bordering Edo and Ondo States.
“On receipt of this information, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, immediately deployed operatives of the Ohosu Division, IRT, tactical teams alongside vigilantes and hunters into the bushes for possible rescue of the victims and arrest of suspects.
“During the operation, operatives engaged in a gun duel with these kidnappers. In the process, one of the kidnappers was neutralised, while others escaped with bullet wounds.
“The operatives were cautious to avoid collateral damages as the kidnappers used the victims as human shields. Unfortunately, an Inspector of Police sustained a gunshot injury and is currently responding to treatment.
“This rescue effort eventually paid off as the ten (10) kidnapped students comprising eight (8) male and (2) females were released due to intense pressure mounted on them.”
UPDATE: Four-storey building collapses in Lagos (Photos)
BREAKING: Many feared trapped, as Building collapses in Ojodu Lagos
President Federation Cup: NFF unveils venues, dates for quater-finals
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Sports3 days agoEx-Man Utd star Bastian Schweinsteiger ‘splits from wife’
-
Sports3 days agoGabon Striker Boupendza Dies After Falling from Building in China
-
International3 days agoUK Supreme Court rules definition of ‘woman’ based on sex at birth and not by transgender
-
Business3 days agoWTO slashes 2025 trade growth forecast, warns of deeper slump
-
News2 days agoAppolonia Becomes Army’s First Female PRO
-
Business3 days agoPwC shuts operations in nine African countries
-
Business1 day agoLCCI, NIXIN Reel Actions to Boost Nigeria’s Paper Industry
-
News3 days agoYahaya Bello Seeks Prosecution of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for Alleged Defamation