Senate confirms Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad as new CJN
The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
He was confirmed on Wednesday after a thorough screening at the National Assembly.
The confirmation was included in the Order Paper of the day. It was, thus, expected that Tanko will be screened and confirmed during plenary as is the custom.
However, the lawmakers unanimously agreed to go into a closed-door session. This was after the Senate resolved into the committee of the whole to begin the screening and confirmation.
The lawmakers, however, later reversed their decision and resolved to continue the screening in open plenary.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Thursday requested the confirmation of Muhammad as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.
His request was a sequel to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to make Muhammad the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Muhammad was first appointed in January after the president controversially suspended the then Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, who was accused of false declaration of asset.
Onnoghen was later found guilty by the Code of Conduct Tribunal. He was forced to retire from office and his retirement was accepted by President Muhammadu Buhari.
