President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after a three-day work stay in France.
The Airbus A330 conveying the President touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 2:25 am Friday, learnt.
The president had cut short his trip to swear in the new Chief Justice Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, at the Council Chambers of the State House.
Tinubu had departed Abuja for France on Monday for what the presidency described as a “brief work stay.”
Although it did not state the reason and duration of this visit, a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said, “The President will return to the country after his brief work stay in France.”
In a statement he signed Thursday conveying Tinubu’s appreciation to the outgoing CJN, Justice OluKayode Ariwoola, Ngelale revealed that the president “will swear in Justice Ariwoola’s successor at the State House Council Chambers on August 23, 2024.”
Meanwhile, the National Judicial Council had on August 15, after its 106th meeting, recommended Kekere-Ekun to the president to replace Ariwoola.
Announcing its decision, the council said, “The NJC, at its 106th meeting presided over by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who bows out today, recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Tinubu and for appointment as the CJN.”
Kekere-Ekun, the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, will be sworn in as acting CJN pending her confirmation by the Senate.
She succeeds Ariwoola, who assumed office on June 27, 2022, and bowed out on Thursday, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.
At 66, Kekere-Ekun is expected to serve until her retirement in 2028.
In his message to the retired CJN, Tinubu described Ariwoola’s over three-decade stint as a “successful public service career,” commending him for his services to the nation.
Ariwoola was sworn in as the CJN in 2022 and served the nation in diverse capacities as Justice of the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, Enugu and Lagos divisions before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.
His successor, Kekere-Ekun will take the oath of office at 11 am Friday.