Nigeria Independence: Meet 16 men, 2 women who led judiciary in 66 years

By Clifford Ndujihe, Politics Editor
With her swearing-in as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, on Friday, August 23, 2024 and substantive CJN on September 30, 2024, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun became the 18th leader of Nigeria’s Judiciary since independence.
She succeeded Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Kekere-Ekun is the second woman to mount the saddle after Justice Alooma Mukthar.
Nigerian CJNs since independence
1 Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, 1960-1972
2 Taslim Olawale Elias, 1972-1975
3 Darnley Arthur Alexander, 1975-1979
4 Atanda Fatai-Williams, 1979-1983)
5 George Sodeinde Sowemimo, 1983-1985
6 Ayo Gabriel Irikefe, 1985-1987...