The Oduduwa Descendants Coalition for Justice has filed a petition against Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, accusing her of false asset declarations.
The group submitted their case to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), urging an investigation into the senior judge’s financial disclosures.
With Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Olukayode Ariwoola set to retire on August 22 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70, Justice Kekere-Ekun, the most senior of the 21 Supreme Court justices, is widely considered his likely successor.
The petition, dated August 10, 2024, was signed by Comrade Kehinde Johnson Olawale, the National Coordinator of the group. According to Olawale, the complaint is intended to prompt a thorough review of Justice Kekere-Ekun’s asset declarations, particularly in light of her potential elevation to the position of CJN.
The group alleges that Justice Kekere-Ekun failed to fully comply with the law regarding asset declarations when she transitioned into higher judicial roles, including her appointments to the Court of Appeal and later the Supreme Court. Specifically, they claim that during her tenure as Chair of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal in Lagos in 1999, and again in 2013 after serving as a Justice of the Court of Appeal, she neglected to submit her mandatory asset declaration forms. Furthermore, the petition asserts that her later declarations contained inaccuracies and unverifiable statements.
“We are a coalition of socio-political and cultural groups committed to promoting ethical behavior in public office,” the petition stated. “Considering that Justice Kekere-Ekun may soon occupy the highest judicial office in the country, it is critical that these allegations are investigated promptly and thoroughly.”
The group urged the CCB to investigate the claims, stating that their findings will be crucial for the National Judicial Council and the Nigerian Senate as they assess Justice Kekere-Ekun’s suitability for the role of Chief Justice of Nigeria.
