Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun sworn-in today Friday 23rd August 2024 by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is a jurist with a longstanding reputation. She has delivered and participated in several landmark judgments and rulings during her tenure as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
TheMediaGood Newspaper reels out a foretaste of herald judgments to expect under her tenure as Chief Justice of Nigeria. Her precedent notable judgments include:
HOPE UZODINMA V. EMEKA IHEDIOHA: This case involved the 2019 Imo State gubernatorial election, where Uzodinma challenged Ihedioha’s victory. Kekere-Ekun led the controversial Supreme Court judgement that declared Uzodinma the winner, based on the inclusion of results from 388 polling units that had previously been excluded. She read the judgment in January 2020.
ADEMOLA ADELEKE V. GBOYEGA OYETOLA: This case involved the Osun State governorship election dispute between Senator Ademola Adeleke and Governor Gboyega Oyetola. Adeleke challenged the election results, alleging irregularities and misconduct. Justice Kekere-Ekun, was part of the panel of justices that affirmed the election of Gboyega Oyetola as the governor of Osun State, dismissing the appeal filed by Adeleke. The Supreme Court’s decision was based on the failure of the appellant to prove substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the election. This case revolved around the 2015 Rivers State governorship election, where Nyesom Wike was declared the winner, but the results were contested by Dakuku Peterside. Justice Kekere-Ekun was part of the Supreme Court panel that upheld the election of Nyesom Wike as the governor of Rivers State.The court dismissed the appeal filed by Peterside, affirming that the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the law. Kekere-Ekun held that While the Electoral Commission is duly conferred with powers to issue regulations, guidelines or manuals by the Electoral Act, so long as an act or omission regarding such regulations or guidelines is not contrary to the provisions of the Act itself, it shall not of itself be a ground for questioning the election. She held that the use of the card reader has not done away with manual accreditation.
CENTER FOR OIL POLLUTION WATCH V. NNPCL: In this case, Justice Kekere-Ekun ruled that a party directly affected by development can approach the court for redress. This decision expanded the scope of public interest litigation in Nigeria.