New CJN: Agbakoba Demands ‘Radical’ Judicial Reform

Respected legal icon, Olisa Agbakoba, says the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, must ensure radical reforms in the nation’s judicial system.

Kekere-ekum was sworn-in on Thursday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Agbakoba, a senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, the last time a judial reform was done in the country was many years ago under then CJN Dahiru Musdapher.

He said many CJN has been appointed in the country who failed to ensure reforms in the sector.

The country is now due for far-reaching reform of the sector, the SAN said in a statement on Friday.

According to Agbakoba, “We are witnessing yet another ritual of handing over the Judicial baton with the swearing-in of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

“But it’s not about swearing in!! It’s about whether we will see radical reforms finally. The last great reform CJN was the Late Dahiru Musdapher!!! I was his consultant on Speed of Justice.

“Unfortunately, CJN Musdapher only had six months in office. He set up a high-powered 29-person committee that produced a transformational report. The late CJN led a team to the then president of the senate, David Mark, to present far-reaching reforms to the constitutional structure of the Judiciary.

“As soon as the CJN turned his back, everyone forgot about it!!! The potential legacy of the new CJN is transformational and radical reform with the fundamental objective of case management driving how the courts work.”

The magazine reported that President Tinubu swore into office, two days ago Justice Kekere-Ekun, making her the second CJN in the history of the country following the footsteps of retired Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar.