JUST IN: Senate Confirms Justice Tanko Muhammad As Chief Justice Of Nigeria

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Justice
Tanko Muhammad as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The red chamber had, on arrival of Muhammad into the chamber,
gone into a closed session to set the template for the
screening.

Muhammad, who arrived at the Senate at around 10:10 am, was
ushered into the chamber around 11:13 am.

He was accompanied to the red chamber by top judiciary officers
in the country.

The CJN answered questions on corruption, administration of
criminal justice and the poor funding of the judiciary

Muhammad has been acting CJN since January 25 when the then CJN,
Justice Walter Onnoghen, was suspended from office over alleged
corrupt practices.

President Muhammadu Buhari had last week Thursday forwarded to
the Senate , a letter requesting for confirmation of Muhammad as
substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The President in the letter of request said the nomination was
sequel to recommendation made to that effect by the National
Judicial Council.

The letter titled : Appointment of Chief Justice of Nigeria
reads ” In accordance with Section 231 (1) of the constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which gives the
president the power to appoint a Chief Justice of Nigeria on the
recommendation of the National Judicial Council and subject to the
confirmation of the appointment by the Senate.

“I have the honour to forward the nomination of Honourable
Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed for confirmation as Chief Justice of
Nigeria.

“It is my hope that this request will receive the usual
expeditious consideration of the distinguished Senate of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria”

In making the confirmation expeditiously , the Senate listed it
on its order paper on Tuesday, upon which it resolved to carry out
the screening at the committee of the whole tomorrow ( Wednesday ,
July 17, 2019) .

The President of the Senate , Ahmad Lawan, said all the relevant
credentials of the acting CJN , have been distributed to all the
Senators for required perusal.

He said, “Distinguished colleagues, please study the documents
already distributed in preparation for screening and possible
confirmation of Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad as Chief Justice
of Nigeria,” he said

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