CJN: Essential Information Regarding Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun

Justice Kekere-Ekun was born in London, United Kingdom on May 7, 1958. Both of her parents were originally from Lagos State, Nigeria. She is the eldest of eleven siblings from both of her parents. Her father, Alhaji Senator H.A.B. Fasinro, OFR, LL.D, was a devout Muslim and a dedicated family man with noble ancestry. He was affiliated with at least three royal families in Lagos. He was a legal practitioner and actively involved in politics. Throughout his career, he held the position of Crown Counsel in the former Western Region of Nigeria for many years. He also served as the Town Clerk of Lagos City Council, a role comparable to that of the Mayor of Lagos. In 1975, at the age of 56, he voluntarily retired from civil service. Subsequently, in 1983, he became a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. However, his tenure was abruptly terminated due to the military coup that overthrew the civilian government led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari in December 1983. Additionally, he was an accomplished author. He passed away on March 31, 2019, at the age of 99.

Her mother, Mrs. Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu (née Savage), is a dedicated Christian. She pursued her education in nursing within the United Kingdom, where she successfully obtained her qualification as a Public Health Nurse. Upon her return to Nigeria in December 1965, she embarked on a career within the civil service of Lagos State, eventually retiring at the age of 60. Currently, Mrs. Ogundimu holds the esteemed position as the head of the prominent and well-established Savage Family in Lagos.

Alhaji Senator H.A.B. Fasinro, OFR, LL.D, and Mrs. Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu both entered into new marriages while K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun was still in her formative years. Consequently, K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun was raised in a polygamous household that included her father, stepmothers, siblings, and various relatives. One of her stepmothers, who played a significant role in shaping her life, was an educator. She was nurtured in a highly disciplined and strict environment, where she learned enduring principles such as diligence, integrity, contentment, and the capacity to interact harmoniously with others and manage diverse situations. The household was often bustling with extended family members and schoolchildren who spent their holidays there to receive additional tutoring and a structured upbringing.

K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun was fortunate to receive an excellent education. She attended private primary institutions before advancing to Queen’s College, Lagos, in 1970, which was recognized as the premier Federal Government College for girls in the nation at that time. She pursued a degree in Law at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, from 1977 to 1980, earning her LL.B in 1980. Subsequently, she attended the Nigerian Law School from 1980 to 1981 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in July 1981. From 1981 to 1982, she fulfilled her mandatory National Youth Service at the Ministry of Justice in Benin City, Bendel State (now Edo State). Following this, she enrolled at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where she attained a master’s degree in law in 1983.

After qualifying as a lawyer and earning her master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), she spent several years in private legal practice. However, due to the challenges posed by the demands of private practice on her family obligations, she opted to join the judiciary for more stable working hours. In December 1989, she applied for and was appointed as a Senior Magistrate Grade II by the Lagos State Judiciary, marking the commencement of her judicial career. She was later appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State on the 19th.

K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun held the position of Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, located in Ikeja, Lagos, from November 1996 until May 1999, at which point the Tribunals were disbanded. The Tribunal's composition included one officer from the Police and one from the Military. During this tenure, the Police officer acquired valuable knowledge regarding the essential elements for conducting successful criminal investigations and prosecutions. Following this experience, he was assigned to the Police College, where he served as a lecturer, imparting the insights he gained from his involvement in the Tribunal proceedings. Due to her esteemed reputation for integrity and diligence, she was selected as one of three Judges of the Lagos State High Court to adjudicate cases related to financial crimes and money laundering, in accordance with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act of 2004 and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000.

In addition, K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun was a member of the Ethics Curriculum Planning Committee at the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) in 2003, working alongside the Department for International Development (DFID) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). This committee was responsible for developing the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. She also held the position of chair for the Public Complaints and Training Committee, which was part of a UNODC pilot initiative aimed at enhancing judicial integrity and capacity in Lagos State, from February 2003 to July 2004. The Public Complaints Committee played a crucial role in investigating grievances against magistrates regarding their official duties and was instrumental in reforming the justice delivery system within the magistrate courts. Furthermore, she acted as a supervisory judge for the Apapa Magisterial District in Lagos State from October 2002 to July 2004. Additionally, she contributed as a member of the committee that formulated the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2004, serving from April 2002 to December 2002. The newly established Civil Procedure Rules introduced significant advancements in case management, including the front-loading concept, pre-trial conferences, and the implementation of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, all aimed at expediting the administration of justice. These innovations have been embraced by numerous states across the Federation and have proven particularly effective in the swift resolution of electoral disputes.

From December 2001 to December 2004, she was a member of the Steering Committee for the Lagos State Multi-Door Court House, recognized as the first court-connected Alternative Dispute Resolution center in Africa. At the Court of Appeal, she contributed to the Information Technology Committee, which aimed to advance the computerization of the Court. Hon. Justice K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Merit Awards from the Lagos State Judiciary in December 2003 and September 2013. 

Additionally, she has been honored twice with the Distinguished Trailblazers Awards by the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum in August 2012 and 2014. She is affiliated with various professional organizations, such as the National Association of Women Judges, the International Association of Women Judges, and the Body of Benchers, where she has held the status of Life Bencher since February 8, 2018. She is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and the International Dispute Resolution Institute, and a member of the Ikoyi Club 1938. Hon. Justice K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun has been married to Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR, since December 1983, whose work ethic and integrity have significantly inspired her. 

Their marriage has produced three children, all of whom are graduates and thriving in their respective careers. K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun is dedicated to self-reflection, embodying the change one wishes to see in the world, and establishing high standards from the outset of any endeavor, principles that have consistently guided her personal and professional journey.