by solomom Ilomechine
President Muhammadu Buhari administration,which started in 2015 has witnessed the appointed of three Chief Justices of the federation, all in acting and substantive capacities.
While vice President Yemi Osinbajo was acting president in March2017, He nominated Justice Walter Onnoghen as the CJN to replace Justice Mahmud Mohammed. In January 2019, Justice Onnoghen was suspended for alleged false asset declaration, paving the way for the Bauchi-born-Justice Tanko Muhammad. But yesterday, Justice Tanko Muhammad suddenly resigned on Monday.
Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad resigned as the 17th Chief Justice of Nigeria. This was made public on Monday. Although reasons why he choosed to resign are uncertain as at the time of filing this report, the Justice’s resignation came in on the heels of the allegations of mismanagement of funds levelled against him by 14 justices of the Supreme Court.
Around 3:00pm at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, hours after Justice Tanko's resignation went viral, the President of the federation, Major General Muhammadu Buhari swore in the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Justice Ariwoola, who hails from Iseyin, Oyo State was born on the 22 of August 1958, He was elevated to the Supreme Court bench in 2011 after being a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
Following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammed, Chief Yomi Aliyyu a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in a statement said that Ariwoola’s appointment was the second time in five years that justices from private bars became the CJN he said that the last Justice from a private bar was My Lord Justice Onnoghen. Chief Yomi urged the new CJN to ensure quick dispensation of justice and to end the overpopulation at the apex court with justices picked from magistrate courts to the Supreme Court which he said led to the delivery of pro-establishment judgments.
More so, Oba Abdul-Ganiy Adekunle, the Aseyin of Iseyin, has expressed his profound joy over the appointment of Justice Ariwoola, who is one of his subjects. The oba said the achievement would go into the history of the ancient town that one of its sons made a remarkable accomplishment in the legal and judiciary system during his reign as the Aseyin of Iseyin.
Others who were present at the swearing-in ceremony were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba; other Justices of the Supreme Court, Director-General of the State Security Service, Yusuf Bichi.
