PUNCH
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, The PUNCH 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.
