Tinubu Departs for France Less Than 24 Hours After Arriving in Nigeria

Barring last-minute changes, President Bola Tinubu will return to France today, Friday, August 23.

The president had cut short his earlier trip to France to swear in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Kekere-Ekun’s inauguration makes her the second female CJN in the country’s history, following Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who served as CJN from July 2012 to November 2014.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun Biography: Religion, Husband, Children, State of Origin, and Son

The acting CJN took her oath of office at about 11:38 a.m. and took her allotted seat in the council chambers—on the left of the president—at exactly 11:45 a.m.

Among those who witnessed the event were other justices of the Supreme Court; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the leadership of the House of Representatives led by Julius Ihonbvere; Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Olukayode Ariwoola, the immediate past CJN.

Also present were George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA); Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President; and Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation.

A reliable source at the presidency said Tinubu will be returning to France “any moment from now to continue his brief work stay” in the country.