O. Adejo
Following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad as Chief Justice of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has administerd the oath of office to Justice Olukayode Ariwoola of the Supreme as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
At the time of Justice Muhammad’s resignation, Ariwoola, 62, is the Supreme Court’s next most senior justice. He is expected to serve in an acting capacity until further confirmation by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
He swore to be faithful to the Federal Government of Nigeria and to defend the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution while taking the judicial oath.
Justice Muhammad’s resignation came just a week after 14 Supreme Court justices wrote to him to express their displeasure with the state of the apex court.
The justices claimed in the leaked letter that despite drawing his attention to the issues raised, Justice Muhammad failed to address them.
They had complained to the court about a lack of residential accommodation and vehicles, alleging that the former CJN was going on vacation with his “spouse, children, and personal staff” while not allowing them to travel with an assistant on foreign trips.
An aide to the former CJN, however, denied the allegations.
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