Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Nigeria’s newly appointed 23rd Chief Justice (subject to Senate confirmation), who delivered the Supreme Court judgment on the contested Imo governorship election on January 14, 2020, was once denied a United States’ visa.
According to a document obtained by Daily Independent in 2023, the justice was one of those who had nullified Emeka Ihedioha’s victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful winner.
A seven-man Supreme Court panel, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Ibrahim Muhammad Tanko, issued the ruling.
The court also instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revoke the certificate of return given to Ihedioha and instead issue it to Uzodimma, who was subsequently sworn in as Imo State’s sixth governor on January 15, 2020.
In a letter signed by Jay M. Sorensen, the American Consular Officer in Abuja, U.S. authorities stated that Justice Kekere-Ekun’s visa was denied due to “sanctioned activities.”
Former Cross River Governor, Donald Duke, had earlier mentioned on Wednesday that U.S. authorities had rejected visa applications from several judges intending to attend a Judges Conference in the United States.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu administered the oath of office to Justice Kekere-Ekun, formally inaugurating her as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria, subject to Senate confirmation.
The ceremony took place at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja on Friday at around 11:40 am, where Kekere-Ekun signed the oath register, marking the beginning of her tenure.
Kekere-Ekun would operate in acting capacity until confirmation by the Senate.
The National Judicial Council at its 106th Meeting presided over by Ariwoola, last week, recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to President Tinubu for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
On Monday, the President travelled to France for a short working trip, according to his team’s description of the visit as a ‘brief work stay’.”
But the President returned to Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Friday, August 23, 2024, following a brief work stay in France.
He arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at approximately 2:25am.
